I do love a door within a door, and this beautiful red one in Hotwell Road really ticks some boxes for me. It is not particularly old nor is it all that interesting in that it has few features to speak of, but it has bundles of character. Most people probably wouldn’t give it a second glance, but to those who like to look might like it.
It was a double-take door for me. I actually walked past it, stopped in my tracks and went back to it to take these pictures. A nice simple door.
I recently took a few work colleagues on a guided street art tour to Bedminster as part of an organisational event designed to share skills, learn more about the work we do and to get to know each other better and the city we live in as part of a wellbeing initiative. The tour was very oversubscribed, and I may have to run some more. It was something of a success and all the participants told me that they had really enjoyed it.
Andy Council, North Street Green, Bristol, February 2018
What luck it was then that we came across one of Bristol’s most well known street artists at work, just finishing off a new work as part of his nomination as Upfest artist of the month for March in the build up to Upfest 2018, Andy Council.
Andy Council, North Street Green, Bristol, March 2018
His style and presentation should come as no surprise to regular readers of this blog. He has created a wonderful dinosaur, a stegosaurus type I think, which is composed of architectural features, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge on the head of the beast. I stopped for a quick chat with Andy, but it was the coldest day of the year so far and I felt I needed to keep the tour moving. It was nice to be able to show people an artist at work, and even better that it was Andy Council.
The boards erected in South Street Park played host to some of the very best work at Upfest 2017, and this piece by Krimsone and Scott Nagy was right up there with the very best. This amazing collaboration shows street art storytelling at its very best.
Krimsone and Scott Nagy, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
The magical story unfolding here is of a young child in bed, and a bedroom that is transforming into a dream-like fantasy world, and his bed is in fact a little boat. The whole image has the look of an illustration from a children’s book.
Krimsone and Scott Nagy, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Both artists are from Australia, and if it weren’t for Upfest, how on earth would I ever get to see their amazing work? Such is the draw of the festival that artists from all over the world make the journey to Bedminster. I sometimes wonder if Bristolians know how lucky they are.
This is such a skillfully painted piece, such a shame that it was only temporary.
A convenient narrative adopted by pro-Brexit campaigners urging a return to the ‘good old days’ before we were told what to do by Europe. The facts rather contradict this romantic notion, and certainly my recollection of growing up in London in the 1970s is not a pleasant one – choking car fumes, filth and litter everywhere and heavily polluted rivers, our countryside didn’t fare much better. What did European regulations ever do for us…? (Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive, the Birds Directive, Bathing Waters Directive, Air Quality Framework Directive and others).
Just across the road from South Street Park in a school yard the fabulous combination of Paul Monsters and Loch Ness were busy at work. I’m not sure that many people got to see the final piece, which had been slow to finish due to the weather combined with the fact that after Upfest, access to the school yard has been restricted.
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Two fine bristol artists who use bright colours in their work, but with very different styles. Paul Monsters works with geometric patterns creating 3D shapes and shadows that draw the eye in to examine in detail what is happening.
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Loch Ness, who also uses lots of colour in his work tends to spray monsters or animals with pieces that tell a story.
Paul Monsters and Loch Ness, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
The whole piece is a major asset for the pupils of the school, who probably don’t appreciate how lucky they are to have such a beautiful piece adorning this playground building. I got lucky, and managed to take these pictures when the gates were opened for the contractors to remove a cherry picker (which had been used by Nol in the same yard).
Angus was a very busy fellow at Upfest last year. Not only did he create this magnificent mosaic, but he also found time to collaborate with Chinagirl Tile and also lay down several other mosaics dotted about the place. Added to all of that business, he still had time to schmooze and chat with visitors over the two days.
Angus, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
This piece will be familiar to anyone who has played Street Fighter – I do not count myself amongst this happy crew – specifically it is move called ‘hadouken’…now go and consider yourself educated. Writing about street art really does take you on many new discoveries, tapping into the popular culture that influences the artists.
The very first post I wrote from Upfest 2017 was this piece by Apset and Ionas, a couple of Greek artists who had arrived in Bristol but had not been allocated a wall. The sprayed a wall in Dean Lane skate park, but then got very lucky and managed to find a hoarding in South Street Park where they produced this fine piece.
Apset and Ionas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Both of their Upfest works incorporated an animal paired with a portrait. I think that the animals are by Ionas and portraits by Apset. Both works are great collaborations and something a bit different.
Apset and Ionas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
I hope that they are coming back this year, and that if they do, that they get allocated a spot, without having to agonise too much. A much needed little ray of Thessaloniki sunshine at a damp Bristol Upfest.
Really, this is one of my favourite pieces from the whole of Upfest 2017, not only because of the quality of work, but because of the cheerful resilience of the artists in persevering with their work in spite if the inclement weather.
N4T4 and Philth, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
A fine collaboration between N4T4 and Philth which really brightened up the walk between North Street and Ashton Gate.
N4T4 and Philth, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
These two artists have painted together at the last three Upfests, and although not a true collaboration, their pieces complement each other perfectly.
N4T4 and Philth, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
I walked past these two a few times, and took my favourite picture of the festival (above) of them cheerfully painting in the rain. Such dedication.
N4T4 and Philth, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
The N4T4 piece on the left is a wonderful example of his portrait style, incorporating colours and shapes which combine to make the whole. A blast of exquisite colour and a stunning face.
N4T4 and Philth, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Contrast this then with the grey scale portrait by Philth on the right. He is as well known for his floral designs as he is for his portraits and this piece is overflowing with flowers that lift the piece to another level.
This is the second stunning piece from Oze Arv that was painted in The Bearpit after Upfest 2017 and is at the end of the tunnel opposite his other piece there (see previous post).
Oze Arv, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2017
Seeing both of these beautiful works by this talented artist was a real treat, and something quite special for The Bearpit, which at times can look a bit tatty and drab. In this piece Oze Arv once again combines his wildlife study with an abstract context – all very seductive and compelling.
Oze Arv, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2017
For me this really is a great example of free art (of a very high standard) for the people of Bristol. Oze Arv selflessly painting two superb works, probably because he just loves to spray, and leaving a legacy of uplifting optimism. Free art for the people – it doesn’t get much better than that.
This is the first of two posts on work by Oze Arv in The Bearpit which were very precious gifts that he made while he was in town for Upfest 2017. Since seeing his work for the first at the festival I have become a big fan.
Oze Arv, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2017
There is something about the connection with nature and the wonderful colours he uses that makes this work engaging and uplifting, let alone his exquisite skill in combining abstract patterns with wildlife subjects.
Oze Arv, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2017
This piece didn’t last long and the ephemeral nature of it makes the gift seem so much more special. I am pleased that I was able to capture it and even more pleased that I am able to share it now.
Natural adventures 