Tag: Urban

1780. Thomas Street (1)

They really don’t come any better than Sled One. His bizarre creations have a dream-like cartoon style to them, but it is the immaculate execution of his work that is most notable. His lines and shading as well as extraordinary textures, for example the banana in this piece, seem to flow effortlessly from his spray can. It would be impressive enough if this piece were created with paint brushes…it is a small miracle with spray cans.

Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018

The element of humour also must not be overlooked and although a little gory, the concept of a banana slipping over on a human is a funny one. The little finger skateboard is a little nod to Sled One’s other passion which is skateboarding, and his Facebook stream has several videos of his skills for all to see. The piece is exquisite.

The permission to paint the hoardings was arranged by Where the Wall who offer street art tours around Bristol.

1779. St Werburghs tunnel (43)

I really hope you don’t get bored with seeing pieces by Face 1st. If you do, then just skip over this one and the next one in about four posts time and so on. You see, I like his work a lot and he manages to hit the streets a lot, which means his work will feature here a lot.

Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

This is an absolute blinder from Face 1st in St Werburghs tunnel and I had to do quite a lot of colour management on my photo editor to bring out the true colours that were swamped with orange light in my originals. Because of this manipulation these pictures can never be a true representation of the piece, so things like this really need to be seen in the flesh. Two faces and lots of adornment…each of the tear-drop things decorated differently, but each given that 3D feel. Lovely piece.

1778. The Bearpit (163)

Things have really slowed down at The Bearpit recently and most of the walls are becoming congested with fly posters and tagging. It has got a whole lot worse and more trashy since Bristol City Council came down hard on the street art scene and buffed all the walls – unintended consequences and all that…

DNT, The Bearpit, Bristol, September 2018
DNT, The Bearpit, Bristol, September 2018

In among all the sleezyness is this really classy piece recently sprayed by DNT. It is a floral tribute piece to a friend of his, Derek Williams, who passed away, I guess recently. In a touching Instagram post he says that Derek was one of the first people he met when he arrived in Bristol in 1990 and treated him normally. There is a big back-story there of which we only get a glimpse.

DNT, The Bearpit, Bristol, September 2018
DNT, The Bearpit, Bristol, September 2018

As tributes go, this is a really heartfelt and carefully crafted piece and from the Autumn colours to the whole tone of the piece you can see it is a labour of love. Lovely tribute.

1777. M32 roundabout J3 (98)

I am used to seeing NEVERGIVEUP’s urban (and occasionally rural) bunnies and his monsters. Less often seen are his wildstyle writings such as this one which he did together with Soge whose piece is just to the right.

NEVERGIVEUP, M32, Bristol, September 2018
NEVERGIVEUP, M32, Bristol, September 2018

The writing says EBOK, and although I don’t know what it means, I seem to recall it isn’t very savoury. It seems to me that spray painting comes so easily to this artist and that every time I have met him he has been very relaxed and calm. Hugely talented and a lot of fun too, he has just started up an Instagram account called ‘followmyrabbits’ in which he is posting rabbits he has left lying around all over the place…and not just in Bristol.

1776. Fairlawn Road (2)

I don’t often post pieces that have been badly dogged but I make an exception with this piece by Stupid Stupid Meathole because I don’t see much of his work about the place and get rather excited when I do see one.

Stupis Stupid Meathole, Fairlawn Road, Bristol, September 2018
Stupis Stupid Meathole, Fairlawn Road, Bristol, September 2018

I certainly wasn’t looking for this little gem when I found it walking the dog around Montpelier. I think it was painted at the same time as the Tasha Bee piece directly to the right of it. There is always room in my blog for his rather grotesque organic pieces.

1775. St Werburghs tunnel (42)

Occasionally I manage to come across Fiva’s work – he is not as prolific as many of the Bristol artists, but the quality of his pieces is unquestionable and his style recognisable and attractive. He usually spells out his word in large letters and sometimes, as in this case, fills them with scenes. Often he accompanies the letters with some kind of character – this is a standard format used by many of the graffiti writers here.

Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

The lighting in St Werburghs tunnel tends to leave pictures looking a bit orange and the contrast rather poor, so this lovely work by Fiva really doesn’t look as good here as it did in the tunnel. The incorporation of a scene in his letters gives a sense of depth and mystery to the piece. fine work from Fiva.

1774. Hill Street (2)

Every now and again I like to treat myself to a nice sandwich or sausage roll at Pinkmans on Park Street for my lunch and it is a real treat, because the prices are what you’d expect from such a highly rated bakery (Sunday Times top 25 bakery in the UK). To get there I can either go up Park Street itself or up the much quieter parallel Hill Street.

Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018
Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018

Halfway up Hill street, which provides the back entrances for all the retail shops and eateries, is a small car park which is a rather special little street art spot that few people know about. Turnover here is very low indeed and tagging rare. There was a wonderful Kleiner Shames mural here but it has finally given way to this extraordinarily brilliant piece from Deamze. I really like it that Deamze has done a little nod of recognition to the artistry of Kleiner Shames with the inclusion of the word Fois (KS’s wildstyle word).

Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018
Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018

In this piece Deamze has surrounded his wildstyle writing with a cartoon space scene from Marvin the Martian, and I have to confess to having to look this up because he is not a cartoon character I am familiar with. As one would expect from Deamze, this is a beautifully conceived and executed piece that is most welcome on this special wall. Now onwards to Pinkmans.

1773. St Werburghs tunnel (41)

In this piece, we have everything that I like about the Bristol street art scene. First, it is a collaboration between Tasha Bee and Soap – firm friends and painting buddies. Second it is bright and vibrant and in a highly stylised form. Third, the location, St Werburghs tunnel is just sooo Bristol.

Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

The two characters in the collaboration work so very well together and the colours read-across seamlessly. I am more used to seeing the large mouths that Soap is recognised for, and indeed there is a hint of that on the hat of his character, but it is this wonderfully expressive face that he paints from time to time that I really like. I was so happy to come across this piece, especially as the turnover in the tunnel is particularly high at the moment.

1772. M32 Spot (28)

This is just brilliant. It is one of three recent column pieces to go up under the M32 painted by Silent Hobo and I love love love it a lot. There is so much soul in the character and she’s looking at you with those large blue eyes. Many of his characters have their eyes looking down or closed, which is what makes this one stand out.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018

These column pieces are always quite difficult to photograph, because of the large contrast in light levels and these pictures in no way do the piece justice. For any die-hard hunters, this one is one that must be seen in the flesh.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018

Silent Hobo has a strongly empathetic view on modern youth and is a fantastic champion for all that keeps out city vibrant. Bravo Hobo – I am in love with this girl..

 

1771. Park Street (2)

Park street seems to be in a continual state of refurbishment. Businesses appear and disappear with alarming regularity, something that has been particularly noticeable since the banking crisis began. I suspect shop rents are high and returns subject to the prevailing economic conditions. The upshot is that hoardings can be found covering up shopfronts…and these hoardings need decorating.

Lemak, Park Street, Bristol, October 2018
Lemak, Park Street, Bristol, October 2018

Step up Bristol Business Improvement District who commissioned this work by Lemak and another by Inkie and Cheba further up Park Street. This is an exceptional stencil by an exceptional artist and one which he used for his Upfest 2018 piece.

Lemak, Park Street, Bristol, October 2018
Lemak, Park Street, Bristol, October 2018

Take a good look at the multiple layers on the face and helmet of the astronaut – this is an incredible work. It is great to see these boards in a street with so much footfall – better to have great work like this on display than tags. I’ll post his Upfest version soon.