A really colourful collaboration by Bristol artists, DNT, Akarat and Sheva. It is great that as well as visiting artists from all over the world, space is made for some of the local street/graffiti artists who keep Bristolians happy year-round.
DNT, Akarat and Sheva, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
In this large piece, the stencils at each end are by Akarat, the writing and little angel at the bottom right hand side by DNT and the rest I assume is by Sheva. Sheva is a Bristol artist I have not posted about before, and although I am familiar with the name, I am not familiar with his work.
DNT, Akarat and Sheva, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The whole thing, I think is entitled ‘War Baby’ but I am not too sure what the narrative, if there is one, is.
DNT, Akarat, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
This was definitely one of the brightest and most vibrant pieces of last year’s festival.
I am feeling under a little pressure to get as many Upfest 2016 pieces posted before the end of July when the whole thing starts all over again. I think that the only way I will be able to achieve this is to shorten the narrative sections surrounding the images, which will be a Godsend for those who don’t like to read, but perhaps not so great for those who like to know a little more about the artists and the impression their work has made.
Braga Last1, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
This is a wonderful piece by Braga Last1 whose owl in Dean Lane skate park I posted only a few days ago. This time he has created a beautiful rhinoceros in the school playground of Ashton Gate School.
Braga Last1, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The use of monochrome accompanied with colours spilling from the horn/tree on the rhinoceros is skilfully done, and the slight reflection of green on the head and back of the animal has been well thought through. A lovely piece.
One of the larger showcase pieces from Upfest 2016 was this wall in the beer garden of the Steam Crane pub on North Street. It is a wonderful collaboration by the Lost Souls crew, made up of Si Mitchell, SPZero76, Captain Kris and Squirl, although the latter did not participate on this occasion.
Lost Souls, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
This was certainly one of the busier venues during the festival, probably on account of it being a pub, and it was quite tricky jostling for decent pictures of the crew at work. SPZero76 (seated above with the New York cap) though was very comfortable chatting with visitors, in fact I saw him talking more than I saw him spraying.
Lost Souls, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Si Mitchell (above) worked on the left hand side of the piece, SPZero76 on the middle section and Captain Kris on the right. The whole piece is a frenetic busy think, telling a story of I don’t know what, but I like the result very much.
Lost Souls, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I returned to the wall some months later to get a decent picture of the completed piece. Of course it is slightly compromised by pub furniture getting in the way a bit, but I think it is possible to get an idea of the great qualities of the piece. The section above of the strange man eating the happy octopus is by Si Mitchell.
Lost Souls, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The middle section (above) is so typically by SPZero76, with his dog character using a spray can.
Lost Souls, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The right hand section which completes this rather surreal piece is by Captain Kris, and as part of the seamless sequencing, the octopus makes an appearance in this panel too. A really beautifully worked fun piece.
This is the sixth piece by Shab that I have posted since the beginning of the year. A relatively new discovery for me, but he has been here all the time…I just hadn’t recognised his work. I feel such a fool, because he is not only really established in Bristol, but turns out fantastic pieces across the city Bristol which somehow fell under my radar.
Shab, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
His work at Upfest appeared on the side of a train carriage with the word ‘unwellcome’ (spelling) written above several of his line drawn figures and heads. His human figures are like studies or drafts, with particular attention to proportions, muscles and form. I do like his work very much, and of course the piece is generously sprinkled with eyes.
The international presence comes across very strongly at Upfest. This lovely piece by Scandinavian artist Salla Ikonen really shows how different styles, colours, subjects and influences come in to play to give a distinctiveness to work that has its origins outside the UK. Even within the UK, different parts of the country appear to have localised flavours.
Salla Ikonen, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I love the softness of this piece, and the calm colours, both the pink of the subject and the purples and greens in the background. There is something very appealing about this work, and it is so different to most of the street art we see in Bristol.
Another wonderful paste up from Losthills of Jake the dog. In this one we see Jake sporting an interesting/spooky charm necklace.
Losthills, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
There is something pleasing about the way Losthills sprays his pieces before he pastes them up, the dots of white paint in this instance add to the overall texture of the piece. I am rather fond of Jake the dog.
We were treated to some wonderfully colourful pieces at Upfest last year, but right up there with the best of them was this lovely piece by KOB, aka Kobtropikal. Kob, originally from Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, started painting in 1999.
Kobtropical, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
KOB has a rather organic approach to his work and favours painting surreal imaginary animals or plants or combinations of the two. He has a Facebook page, and interestingly has selected this piece as his avatar, so he must have been pleased with it. This piece has stuck in my mind, when many others have drifted in and out. It must have some strong elements that make it so memorable. A fine piece.
I love the high-end quality of the work produced by Zase and Dekor. Always highly designed and thought out, their pieces always contain a story picture and a wildstyle ‘Zase’. This magnificent wall sprayed for Upfest is no exception.
Dekor, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
It reminds me a little of a piece they did at Deaners a short while before Upfest, which might have been a fun practise run.
Zase, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Dekor was rather quiet and focussed at Upfest, but Zase was happy to have a good chat while he was working. I asked whether he would be happy to do an interview for my blog, which he agreed to do, but of course I haven’t got round to it yet. Watch this space.
Zase and Dekor, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
There is something very clean about their work, and the stories contained in them really play a large part. Zase produces these amazing 3D wildstyle writing which are a little like puzzles to unravel, but once you get your eye in are really pleasing.
Zase and Dekor, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
They workm on a lot of commissions, which is why it is so good to see them at Upfest, and at Deaners during July.
Zase and Dekor, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES
This is one I have held on to for a long time, and I did so because it is a really great piece. I hadn’t published it because the artist, Shab, has only recently come onto my radar. Of course, I am now finding his work everywhere…that seems to be the way of things.
Shab, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
This piece was from Upfest 2015, and managed to remain for quite some time. There are still some remnants of it there today, just. I really love this piece and the way Shab captures the figures. There is a touch of what looks like an African influence going on. A firm favourite.
Some of the artists who painted at Upfest are a little elusive. This piece is by Rupertty, and there is very little I can find out about him…there wasn’t even a programme entry for him. He does have an Instagram account, but there is little there to go on other than some rather nice wildstyle pieces.
Rupertty, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I guess some people keep a lower profile than others. I felt that this was a rather low-profile piece and that it feels unfinished, although I think this is it. I think this piece really shows off the diversity of styles that Upfest has to offer. Something for everyone.
