6463. Brunel Way (299)

 

Whos, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024
Whos, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024

Don’t expect too much from me today. I am on holiday and paradoxically have less time than usual to compose a blog post than usual. This is a rather nice piece from the anti-style graffiti writer Whos.

Whos, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024
Whos, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024

There is a charm about Whos work, and this chrome piece certainly makes an impact. The fills and chrome character provide a rather fun overall effect, and it is great to see Whos out and about again.

Whos, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024
Whos, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2024

The letters spell out WHOS and include a little character portrait in what looks like a rather psychedelic piece. The most striking part in this chrome arrangement are the stars and tears that appear in the fill of the letters. A nice piece from Whos. 

6269. Greenbank (131)

Whos, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2024
Whos, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2024

Note to self… take better photographs. This piece is something of an outlier. It is by an artist called Whos, who is known for his anti-style writing, so when I first saw this it didn’t register that it might be by him. It was only after talking to Conrico at the Cheltenham Paint Festival who confirmed that it was indeed by Whos and that Conrico, while painting to the left of this piece, encouraged Whos to push the boundaries.

Whos, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2024
Whos, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2024

This urban landscape, making up the letters WHOS, is really imaginative, and coming from an artist more used to the free from of anti-style graffiti writing, is a great effort. The dark industrial colours lend themselves very well to the piece and help to create a special atmosphere, which would not have been achieved with bright pinks and yellows etc. I really hope that Whos is encouraged by this foray into a world of opportunities is just the beginning… we’ll have to wait and see.

5053. Sparke Evans Park (64)

Whos, Spark Evand Park, Bristol, February 2023
Whos, Spark Evand Park, Bristol, February 2023

An artist who had completely fallen off my radar over the last couple of years is Whos. His anti-style of graffiti writing could be seen from time to time about the place, but this curious piece is the first I have seen for a long while.

Whos, Spark Evand Park, Bristol, February 2023
Whos, Spark Evand Park, Bristol, February 2023

This fiery piece doesn’t follow any particular convention and is free from constraints. Spelling WHOS, one of my favourite elements of this piece is the flame plasma line running through the grey letters, looking like it is behind them. This is a nicely crafted piece, and a welcome return to the pages of Natural Adventures.

3267. M32 Cycle path (80)

I am increasingly being drawn to the conclusion that Whos is the same artist as Alos, and if that is not the case, then they hang out together a lot and share a style. So here is a dilemma for me. Do I aggregate all their pieces under one name or do I wait for some kind of certainty and continue to treat them as separate artists until I know better.

Well, I had a little bit of luck half way through writing this… I had an unplanned meeting with Paul in the St Werburghs tunnel and he confirmed for me that they are indeed two separate artists, and that’s that.

Whos, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2020
Whos, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2020

I rather like this one from Whos, and consistent with most of his work it painted with only a few colours which gives it a simplicity and honesty. I particularly like the way he sprays the ridged running through the centre of each letter. Unusual but great to see.

3143. St Werburghs tunnel (181)

I have a feeling that this is the third piece I have posted by Whos and I am rather enjoying what I see. This unconventional writing style feels very ‘New Bristol School’ if there is such a thing, along with Taboo and Alos. I am full of admiration for this piece, because any kind of spraying on a heavily textured wall is not going to be easy.

Whos, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2020
Whos, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2020

The piece is located at the entrance to St Werburghs tunnel, and I expect it to stay there for a while due to the nature of the wall. The letters are large and bold with a clever shaded ridge down the middle giving a nice 3D effect. The silver/white and green colours work well together. Altogether a nice piece of writing the likes of which I expect to see more of.

3086. M32 roundabout J3 (241)

The last time I posted something by this artist I had mis-identified him as Taboo… how wrong could I be? It is actually by Whos, and although his style is somewhat similar to Taboo’s it is very clear that this says WHOS.

Whos, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020
Whos, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020

I have a rather soft spot for this piece. The letters feel very home-made if you know what I mean and the simple black pattern running through the middle of all the letters has a charm about it. Some might walk past this without even noticing it, but not me, I like it and look forward to finding more from Whos.