Upfest – Page 41 – Natural adventures

1687. Upfest 2018 (27)

Many of you will now that I am a big fan of the work of Jee See (Goshiku Chavu) and have featured his work many times on this blog. It is not only his raw and passionate artwork that I like but the honesty and integrity of the artist himself, and the rich life experiences he has had. His journey into street art has been an interesting one and it is probably all the better for it.

For Upfest Jee See produced this rather haunting piece ‘escape airstrip one – 1984 is not fiction’ – a politically charged piece. I have just noticed a rather annoying balloon string hanging right across the photograph, obscuring it a little. Grrr. At the base of the hooded character Jee See offers his trademark ‘seismic’ tag, always a winner in my book. My only regret about this piece is that by the time I got to it, he had left North Street Green and I didn’t get a chance to hook up with him. Maybe another time.

1686. Upfest 2018 (26)

It comes as absolutely no surprise at all to see Nol entering into the spirit of the theme for this year’s Upfest with a wonderful Simpsons piece depicting Sideshow Bob with a touch of Nol monsterising. Brilliant.

Nol managed to keep himself busy at the festival, with this being one of three pieces I know about. His work is always bright and colourful and so full of humour and joy. In a troubled world it is great to be able to walk past something like this and cheer…it is not all bad.

1685. Upfest 2018 (25)

Bringing a wonderful splash of colour and some real class to Upfest was this fabulous small piece by Emily Donald. Some of you may remember her equally brilliant work from last year’s festival.

Emily Donald, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This talented artist from Cornwall has made this technique of using rays of light combined with flowers and birds her own. There is a lightness, peacefulness and joy about her work which makes it very easy on the eye. It would be pretty cool to have one of these hanging on the wall at home. Once again some great work from Emily…I hope she is able to return next year.

1684. Upfest 2018 (24)

One of the most striking and interesting collaborations of Upfest 2017 was by Guy Denning and Yatika Fields and it was a real pleasure to be able to welcome Guy Denning back this year, this time painting solo.

The wall developed slowly over the duration of the festival, and it was really interesting to see the layers go up to crate the final piece. I’m not too sure who the lady portrayed is, but I imagine she is an important figure in the world of campaigns and politics.

Guy Denning’s style is crafted from a combination of freestyle portraiture and stencil overlay, which gives it a unique finish. He includes a quote, probably from the subject of the piece, and in this case it says:

’Rise like lions after slumberin unvanquishable number, shake your chains to earth like dew which in sleep have fallen on you, ye are many, they are few.’

A stirring quote indeed. Having done a quick search on the Interweb, I now understand that the quote is from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley called The Masque of Anarchy, which was written about the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. All great stuff. Now trot along and dig out the poem and read it for yourself, just like I did.

A fine piece indeed.

1683. Upfest 2018 (23)

Now this charming piece is something rather refreshingly different and eye-catching. It is one of two pieces that I am aware of painted by the London-based artist Vanesa Longchamp at Upfest, the other being a North Street shutter piece (to follow).

Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

It was good to witness this piece taking shape during the festival, although I think that the high winds experienced over the weekend must have made it rather difficult, particularly at the exposed site of Ashton Gate, for the artists.

Vanesa’s simple style betrays some fantastic technique and the shading of the hair and twinkle in the eyes is masterful. I’ve not come across any of herv work before but will be on the look out from now on. Great stuff.

1682. Upfest 2018 (22)

Well several of these beautiful stencils by Kin Dose appeared sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, each sprayed on a utility box. This one of a hare I think from recollection is opposite the Louis Masai piece.

I think that this is a very clever stencil, because of the thought that has gone into the background swirls which really help to highlight the subject so well. Kin Dose only occasionally takes to the streets, but when he does he excels every time. A perfect ‘unofficial’ Upfest piece. More to follow.

1681. Upfest 2018 (21)

To kick of the third set of ten posts from Upfest 2018 is this magnificent piece by the brilliant artist Annatomix. I have seen a few of her pieces and I have to say the more I see of them, the more I like them.

This piece was on a new wall for 2018, which it suited perfectly, in a little garden space behind an arched gateway on North Street. I wrote a haiku about this gateway some time ago.

I managed to have a quick chat with Annatomix during one of the several showers on the Saturday, and I think she was worried about getting behind schedule with the piece. It was such a pity that it rained during Upfest, especially as it was in the middle of a heatwave.

The choice of subject, a kingfisher, and the stunning colours – thanks largely to the kingfisher itself – was absolutely perfect for this space. Her origami style of painting is so clever and really attractive – a kind of abstract take on wildlife.

I think it would be nice to keep this as a permanent wall, but I don’t know it that is likely to happen – best to enjoy it while it is there I guess. Bravo Annatomix – one of the festival highlights.

1669. Upfest 2018 (20)

I was looking for the Andrew Burns Colwill piece (to follow soon) which I knew was a little off the beaten track for Upfest 2018 and spotted this brilliant little stencil by John D’oh on the wall of The Black Cat pub on the corner of West Street and Westbourne Grove.

John D'oh, Upfest, Bristol, August 2018 — John D’oh, Upfest, Bristol, August 2018

When I see small ‘hidden’ gems like this, I wonder how many Upfest visitors might have missed it in their quest for the ‘marquee’ artists – I don’t suppose it matters really, but as a street art hunter, I like to work hard for my trophies, it is what I do. This is a really accomplished little stencil and one that really chimes for me – a great little find – Thank you John D’oh.

1668. Upfest 2018 (19)

I realise that this piece was not an official Upfest piece, but I don’t really care about that, because it is by one of Bristol’s finest artists, Tom Miller, and was painted in Dean Lane during the Festival – it counts in my book.

I managed to hook up with Tom Miller a couple of times over the festival, indeed we cowered from a heavy rainshower together on the Saturday morning under one of the skate park ramps.

Yet again, Tom Miller has absolutely ‘nailed it’ as he seems to do with every piece he creates. I only wish that my photography was up to the standard that he sets with his murals.

It is often difficult to fathom out what exactly is going on in Miller’s pieces and indeed, I think it is often open to interpretation – maybe only the artist really knows what this piece is about, but it incorporates all of his surrealist elements and the bright colours he uses. What is incredible about Tom Miller is that he seems to be just as adept with spray cans on walls as he is with paint brushes in the studio, and the end results are always unmistakably Miller pieces. Bravo two times over – I love this piece.

1667. Upfest 2018 (18)

Cheo is a Bristol (and beyond) street art legend, and his involvement in Upfest is always eagerly anticipated. In the last few years Cheo has been quite dominant at the festival, so this year’s rather modest participation came as a bit of a surprise, his piece however reached all the high standards you expect to see from him.

Are we supposed to guess at who is hidden under the paper bag? My immediate assumption, given the Simpsons theme of the festival is that it is the mischievious Bart, but I may be wide of the mark and there may be another story going on here.

Somehow Upfest simply wouldn’t feel like Upfest without some contribution from Cheo, and it is great to see his work on a wall that he obviously enjoys, as he has had several pieces on this wall outside the Bristol Standard, in the past. Great stuff.

	paulh121 on Champions
	hitandrun1964 on Minor injuries unit
	Bill Bisgood on Champions
	Sheree on Thursday Doors – 21 May…
	Suzette Benjamin on Thursday Doors – 21 May…

	paulh121 on Champions
	hitandrun1964 on Minor injuries unit
	Bill Bisgood on Champions
	Sheree on Thursday Doors – 21 May…
	Suzette Benjamin on Thursday Doors – 21 May…

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