There has been a renaissance of sorts in Bristol over the last couple of years or so with the arrival of a merry band of Spanish artists, several of whom are outstanding graffiti writers. Front and centre of this throng is Todoaciem whose near-perfect writing form is a joy to behold.
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
This piece on the M32 roundabout is typical of his structured ornate calligraphy style which spells out CIEM1, although it takes a trained eye to work this out – I am still learning. The colour selection works well and this combination of shades of pink and blue are often used by street artists because they make a piece stand out. Great graffiti writing.
On the long wall at Sparke Evans park is this lovely chrome and black piece from Dott Rotten who more often than not spells out SPOILT in his pieces. I don’t know how long the piece has been there, because I visit so infrequently, but it looks reasonably fresh and untagged, so I don’t think it is too old.
Dott Rotten, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2020
I think that Dott Rotten is an artist whose work we just don’t get to see enough of. These letters are perfectly formed and the black 3D shadows exact. To cap it off, the black decorative fills around the outside, and variants in the ‘O’ add depth. As fine a piece of two-tone graffiti writing that you will see.
I wasn’t expecting to find one Rosalita piece, so to find two was a treat, but three in one place in one day is what my grandmother would call a ‘red letter day’. This is the third sumptuous offering from Rosalita, joined in the collaborative wall by 3F Fino.
Rosalita and 3F Fino, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
On the left of the wall is an acrobatic cherub in pink doing a handstand on a skull while shooting an arrow from a bow with its feet. Is this a take on Cupid? The other half of the wall has a character climbing through a hole in the wall dressed in a balaclava, jumpsuit and green gloves. All a bit off-the-wall, almost literally, but good fun nonetheless. A happy find, which unfortunately only lasted a week or so, which is unusual, because this wall has a pretty low rate of turnover usually.
It was during a recent impromptu paint jam along the M32 cycle path that I was lucky enough to meet Zake for the first time. I had seen him paint once before, but not stopped for a chat. Luckily I arrived just as everyone was finishing off, so I had the double delight of not only meeting so many artists, but also taking photographs of the pieces in their freshest possible state.
Zake, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
This is a rather likeable monster figure with long arms extending from a stumpy body. I like the direction his work is taking and it has come a long way from his earlier column pieces at the M32 spot. I like to look at details in pieces and here he has added a little window to the right of the piece, and the light cast has given a little bright highlight on the monster’s back. These little things matter. Lovely piece.
I will apologise up front for any profanities in this post or any others in the coming days featuring work by Turoe who appears to be on a mission to tell us what a terrible year it has been, and although we already know it, there is value in laying down these markers lest we forget.
Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
This is one of several pieces of writing that have appeared over the last fortnight or so all over Bristol, and each one of them nicely executed. At first there was a little confusion over who was behind them, but it didn’t take too long to work out that it was Turoe. There is some classy skill behind this piece and it is so obviously by an experienced hand – one might ordinarily associate the word ‘Shite’ to be associated with taggers or quick and dirty throw-ups, but not here, this is quality writing.
When I arrived in Vale Street (yesterday), my first observation was how incredibly steep the hills around the area are and where Vale Street joins Park Street is quite treacherous [I have just read a Guardian article that says Vale Street is the steepest residential street in England] – fortunately it rarely snows in Bristol, but when it does this must be a no-go zone.
Banksy, Vale Street, Bristol December 2020
I picked up on a sense of excitement and a bit of a local buzz as trickles of people arrived to look at the brand new Totterdown Banksy and I overheard a conversation which painted quite a picture of a normally quiet and tranquil area… ‘nothing ever happens on our street, it is normally very quiet’ I overheard one young woman say.
Banksy, Vale Street, Bristol December 2020
Banksy hits walls when people least expect it and in places that tend not to be regular graffiti spots – this was on the side of a house that is in the process of being sold. The occupants have taken the house off the market and are probably reassessing the value of the property. [Update – the owners have not pulled out of the sale, but rather are safeguarding the artwork from being cut out and sold, which I think is a wholly admirable thing to do].
Banksy, Vale Street, Bristol December 2020
The stencil is called ‘Aachoo!’ and features an old lady who is sneezing so hard that she has dropped her handbag and her walking stick and worse, her false teeth have flown out in front of her. It is all so very Banksy. Incredibly, the Perspex sheet was placed over the piece within hours, which I suppose is a good thing because a lot of his work in Bristol gets tagged or vandalised – goodness only knows why.
Banksy, Vale Street, Bristol December 2020
Thanks to Paul H for pointing out the Banksy Diana banknotes that were attached to one of the pillars in front of the stencil. I hadn’t noticed these and I daresay nor had most other visitors – their eyes fixed elsewhere. What is extra interesting about these banknotes is that they were added after the photograph that appeared in the Guardian was taken. If that is the case then they were either put there by another artist or Banksy returned to attach them to the pillar – mysterious.
Banksy, Vale Street, Bristol December 2020
When I have done street art tours for colleagues at work, I call the tours ‘It’s not all about Banksy’, but today and on those very rare days that he sprays his stuff in his old home town it is all about Banksy.
I haven’t posted a Rapt piece for quite a while, even though I have several in my archives – I’m not sure why, sometimes it just breaks down that way. This is quite an old piece by the artist, but one I only recently photographed while walking the dog alongside the River Avon.
Rapt, River Avon, Bristol, November 2020
Rapt is one of those artists who usually incorporates a little character alongside his writing and here it takes the form of a ghost wearing round sun specs. The writing is nicely done although the purple and green don’t work too well together in my eyes, especially with the red and black 3D shadow on the letters. The yin yang symbol works nicely though. Colour selections are a very personal thing, but to the viewer some combinations work much better than others. I need to dig more of his work out of my archive.
It is a very difficult job indeed to write about street art in Bristol at the moment, mainly because there is so much of it, and with only two posts a day on Natural Adventures I have to be selective. I try to represent the broad spectrum of street art in the city, from elaborate tags to high-end murals and everything in between. Unfortunately though so much stuff ends up on the ‘cutting room floor’ – Perhaps I’ll be able to mop that lot up when I retire and need to fill my days.
This piece is from Morph, an artist who has only recently crossed my radar, adding to the Bristol throng.
Morph, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2020
I really like this piece and it suits the column perfectly. The face resembles that of a monkey, although I’m not sure if that is the intention. A slightly edgy character, with a cigarette(?) in its mouth and shifty red eyes. I like what I see, and I think that there is some latent talent there with an understanding of shading, colours and tone. I really look forward to seeing more from Morph.
It is possible to access some fine walls and columns (I call the location Frome side) where this piece from Mudra is, but I don’t like to go down there on my own, just in case I slip and fall into the river, so I have to make do with photographing things through railings from the skate spot.
Mudra, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
Of all the newcomers to Bristol this year, I think that Mudra has been the most productive, and he has been quick to find several of the great spots for spray-painting around the city. This is one of his colourful, capped characters that is so typically Mudra. Although he has his little @ tag, he doesn’t need to use it because his style is so unique and recognisable – having said that I like his tag and how he incorporates it. At this rate it won’t be too long before I have enough of his work to create a gallery.
You may recall a giant skeleton by Risco that I published on Natural Adventures a few days ago, well here is another of his rather large pieces, but this time not on a ceiling. The M32 skate spot has had something of a rebirth since the arrival of the pandemic. There have been some new DIY ramps installed and there is a buzz about the place. It also feels like there is more activity on the graffiti/street art front.
Risco, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
This is another amazing skeleton piece, although exactly what creature it is I am not too sure (imaginary I think). Risco has worked the piece beautifully along the length of the ramp, with the rib cage bulging out from the wall. Another epic piece from this artist who is smashing it at the moment.
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