5347. Cumberland Basin

Urban Fay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023
Urban Fay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023

One of the refreshing things about the Bristol Mural Collective paint jams is that most of the pieces created are murals predominantly painted with materials other than spray cans, which brings a whole other dimension to the spectrum of styles and techniques used to paint our walls. This is a moody mother earth piece from Urban Fay.

Urban Fay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023
Urban Fay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023

I am always likely to enjoy environmental pieces, and this one hits the spot. A reclining figure melds into the hillside while a red sun sets on the horizon with telegraph poles hugging the crest of the hill. There are some words to the right of the piece which say. “Suffering a sea change, we rearrange into entirely new shapes”. The female figure’s tears join the river that meanders down the contours of her face to the sea.

Urban Fay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023
Urban Fay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2023

Zooming in, there is detail so small on the figure’s face in the form of tiny little fir trees. This is an unusual piece, which we would be unlikely to see without the great organising skills of Nina Raines and the Bristol Mural Collective.

4114. Dean Lane skate park (445)

It is thrilling to see so many female artists hitting the streets through paint jams organised by the Bristol Womxn Mural Collective, and last month’s session in Dean Lane skate park were particularly productive, including this gorgeous fox mural by Urban Fay (Natasha Fay Watson).

Urban Fay, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021
Urban Fay, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2021

I’m not too sure I have posted anything by Urban Fay before, so this fox, a creature so closely associated with Bristol, is a perfect start. The decaying animal reminds us of the circle of life, and there is a lovely bit of narrative from the artist on this:

What wondrous blessings each morning’s sunrise brings us. The cycle goes on.