7707. Cumberland Basin

Zake and Hire, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026
Zake and Hire, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026

I would describe this collaboration by Zake and Hire as unusual, for two key reasons. Zake has painted a character, rather than one of his face caricatures, and Hire, who tends to be a graffiti writer, with the occasional rabbit thrown in, has painted a character, which, without the signature and a conversation with Zake as he was tidying up, I would never have guessed was painted by him.

Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026
Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026

These two seem to have paired up quite a lot of late, especially since the PWA crew has become a little diluted, with both Face 1st and Chill leaving town. Zake has painted a humanoid robot, looking a little sinister, set on an urban landscape. Is this a dystopian future piece?

Hire, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026
Hire, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2026

Hire, meanwhile, has painted a comic-book style villain (or that is how I see it). The thick-set character with large, brilliantly crafted hands, is holding an old CRT television. Given that I don’t see many characters by Hire, I think this is superb, and hope to see more such pieces in the future. A fine and surprising collaboration.

7018. Dean Lane skate park (845)

Tera, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025
Tera, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025

One of the fastest entries into the Bristol street art scene has to be that of Tera. I met him earlier this summer, painting his first ever piece (!) under Brunel Way, alongside Kid Crayon. The two have set up a symbiotic relationship. Tera is a Tattoo artist and runs a parlour in Bristol, which Kid Crayon has joined as a newbie, there is employment and some money to be made in body art. In return, Kid Crayon has been teaching Tera the finer points of street art. Both are learning really fast.

Tera, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025
Tera, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025

I met the larger-than-life Tera while he was well advanced with this piece and only had the writing and finishing touches to do. It is extraordinary to think that Tera has only painted a handful of times in his life, and can produce pieces like this that many artists take a lifetime to achieve.

Tera, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025
Tera, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2025

Tera clearly has a great understanding of form, colour, light and shade, and seems to have mastered can-control really quickly. The detail on the character’s mask and the pipes attached to the mask is awesome. A tidy bit of urban landscape and some great letters (TERA) round the piece off nicely. Naturally, there are one or two rough edges to the piece, but I believe Tera will be turning out some outstanding work in the future, and I am very much looking forward to seeing it.

6528. M32 roundabout J3 (639)

Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

There is a simplicity and clarity in Zeks’ work, where less is definitely more. His child-like quality and themes work so very well. The autumn leaves in front of the piece complement the ‘blue sky’ background, so well, conjuring up visions of gorgeous autumn days.

Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024
Zeks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2024

The combination piece is split into distinct halves, with a beautifully illustrated urban landscape to the left (looking like one of those 1960-70s cartoon series), which is so full of character. The writing in contrasting and bright colours spells out ZEKS, and is filled with interesting but unfussy shapes and designs. This is a delightful and calming piece from Zeks.

6279. Purdown (77)

Noods, Purdown, Bristol, July 2024
Noods, Purdown, Bristol, July 2024

I have encountered many pieces on the concrete walls at the WWII gun emplacement in Purdown by artists I have never heard of before, and some never since. I believe that this is the first time I have seen anything by Noods, and given that he operates out of Berlin/Glasgow, I’m not sure if I will see anything of his again.

Noods, Purdown, Bristol, July 2024
Noods, Purdown, Bristol, July 2024

This silhouette piece relies almost entirely on shadows cast to create depth and interest. I don’t know why, but it reminds me a little of the work of Giorgio de Chirico, I think it must be the shadows. There is a lot of atmosphere and drama in the piece, but an absence of movement, perhaps another de Chiricoesque feature. Nice one.