Tag: Urban

3830. Upfest 2021 75×75 (24)

There is no doubt about it – what we have lost in quantity by the change in format of Upfest 2021, we have certainly gained in quality. The 75 walls in 75 days initiative has been a massive success and each new wall brings with it extraordinary talent. This outstanding wall is by Pikto and really sets a high bar for this year’s productions.

Pikto, North Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Pikto, North Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

It is the composition and colours that initially draw the eye, but there is something about the catapult boy’s expression that tells a story here of mischief and satisfaction. Photorealistic pieces like this one have improved so much in recent years that we have become rather blazé, and it is not until you stop and study them that you see the quality and the detail.

Pikto, North Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Pikto, North Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

This particular wall has played host to some masterpieces recently and this one carries on that fine tradition. I took these pictures on a sunny day, and I rather like the way that the shadow cast by a tree to the left is commensurate with the shadow cast by the boy’s cheek on his face. Awesome is an over used word, but I will use it here. This piece from Pikto is awesome.

Pikto, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Pikto, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

3829. St Werburghs tunnel (248)

I cannot explain how thrilled I was to see this collaboration recently, because it heralded the return to throwing paint at walls of Tasha Bee, one of my favourite artists. Tasha Bee has been concentrating on other projects for the last three years or so, including her small business Pot Heads Pottery, which seems to be going pretty well, and is a wonderful Bristol creative business. The other half of this lovely collaboration is by Antikki and it is great to see these two working together with their complementary styles.

Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021

On the left hand side of the wall is a beautiful and tranquil, stylised portrait piece by Tasha Bee. All the elements of her work are there, with lots of symbolism and a calmness that is represented in so much of her work. The character’s abundant hair flows to the right appearing to turn into waves on the sea.

Antikki, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021
Antikki, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021

Antikki has continued the theme and colour scheme, although there is much more movement in her dancing figures against the blue waves. I absolutely love this collaboration and it is a pity that it didn’t last very long. I am just so made up that I photographed it when I did. I sincerely hope that these two get together again soon as there is something magical in their partnership.

Tasha Bee and Antikki, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021
Tasha Bee and Antikki, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021

3828. Upfest 2021 75×75 (23)

Angus is another of those Bristol artists without whom an Upfest event simply wouldn’t be an Upfest event. Originally a spray painter, Angus strayed into the world of tiles and mosaics a few years ago and he hasn’t really looked back.

Angus, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Angus, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

Flying ducks are an integral part of British interior design history, and at one time were considered classy and sophisticated. Subsequently they have become a bit of a joke, only to become desirable icons once again. Angus has captured the essence of these flying ducks in a pixelated cartoon style in this narrow horizontal mosaic using the space very well. Lots of blues in these photographs. More Angus mosaics to be discovered at the Paintworks I believe.

3827. Cumberland Basin

Sometimes it is the originality and impact of a piece that draws attention, and this dragon’s eye by Wilter Worm, a Bristol artist who also goes by a more familiar name – Eman. I am not sure why he paints under different names, it is something some artists do, but I will ask him when I next see him.

Wilter Worm, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2021
Wilter Worm, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2021

This close-up detailed piece is so compelling and the scales, horns and eye really nicely done. A labour of love which I expect took a little while to complete. I am a big fan of this kind of work, and once again it shows off the versatility of the artist.

3826. Upfest 2021 75×75 (22)

Ain’t no stoppin us now is a fabulous piece by Upfest favourite Oli T And if ever there was an ear worm in the making, this is it – McFadden and Whitehead have a lot to answer for. Oli T uses his big bright and precise lettering style to create these memorable images and somehow seems to capture the mood of Upfest events so well.

Oli T, North Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Oli T, North Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

This was another piece that was vandalised before I had a chance to photograph it, and to say I was miffed was a bit of an understatement. However, it had been repaired the day after it was tagged and I had had nothing to worry about. Somehow Upfest wouldn’t feel like Upfest without one of these pieces appearing somewhere.

3825. Purdown HAA Battery (28)

It is always great to see pieces in Bristol by DFC1848, whose work over the last three years has just gone from strength to strength. His cartoon character pieces have developed from two rather basic forms into a wide portfolio of different animals and monsters, all with a element of goodness about them.

DFC 1848, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2021
DFC 1848, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2021

This is a particularly creative monster on one of the concrete walls of the Purdown Battery. DFC1848 tends to do solid fills in hie pieces, but the incorporation of details is adding sophistication. I am really enjoying the progress of this artist whose footsteps I’d like to follow.

3824. Upfest 2021 75×75 (21)

One of the most dazzling pieces of Upfest 2021 is this magnificent Little Miss Sunshine with a touch of the Insane51 treatment, by Will Blood. I haven’t come across the artist before but it would seem that his USP is drawing/painting pictures/walls with a visible skeleton lurking beneath a superimposed character, you can find out much more on his excellent website The Book of Bare Bones.

Will Blood, North Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Will Blood, North Street, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21

This particular wall outside The Spotted Cow is among the best walls to photograph in Bedminster because there is no parking in front of it. This piece is definitely one of the most popular of the festival so far, and the bar is very high indeed. So good to be able to welcome Will Blood to Bristol, I hope he will find the time to visit again.

3823. St Werburghs tunnel (247)

This is a rather nice little three-way collaboration from Mr Sleven, The cat came back and Pekoe, down in the tunnel, which I think was a celebration of Mr Sleven’s birthday. I love it that in the street/graffiti art world it is common to mark people’s birthdays with a paint jam – what a great way to celebrate.

Mr Sleven, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021
Mr Sleven, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021

On the left is a rather tidy little chrome throwie by Mr Sleven spelling out SLEV. While I like hie writing, I think I prefer his rather weird and wonderful character pieces, which makes me wonder whether I have enough to do a gallery of his work… I might just have.

The cat came back and Pekoe, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021
The cat came back and Pekoe, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021

To the right is yet another lovely portrait from the queen of portraits, Pekoe. The yellow face is perfectly offset by the red cheeks, lips and hair. A real stunner. Hitching a ride on the big hair is a little cat protesting for peace from The cat came back. All in all a lovely little celebratory collaboration.

3822. Upfest 2021 75×75 (20)

I am well acquainted with the work of Cheba whose intergalactic spacescapes have become something of a speciality for him and which adorn several buildings around Bristol. However, in this piece for Upfest’s 75×75 event, Cheba has gone all Day-Glo on us, and it certainly has made an impact.

Cheba, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Cheba, East Street, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

I must confess to not being a big fan of Day-Glo colour schemes, because they remind me of some of the dodgier aspects of 1980s design and fashion that are probably best left behind. Having said that, I do think that this is an energetic and interesting mural and has already become something of a landmark in the area. Great to see a new piece from Cheba, who has been fairly quiet over the last year or so.

3821. St Werburghs tunnel (246)

Inkie has been back in town, mainly, I think, to paint his contribution to Upfest 75×75, but he has also painted at least one commission and had some fun in the tunnel with this piece during Sunday Funday from mid-July.

Inkie, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021
Inkie, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2021

Inkie is inextricably linked with everything that is good about the street art scene in Bristol, and here is another wonderful piece to add to his collection. It looks like there is a bit of a birthday celebration going on with this too. I love the contrast in writing style with the inclusion of ‘BIZ in the top left of the piece.