Tag: wildlife

1233. Upfest 2017 (117)

Dzia was a featured artists at Upfest 2017 and as such he was afforded this magnificent wall at the climbing centre. Dzia was among a very strong Belgian contingent at the festival who really livened things up with their creativity and skill.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I didn’t manage to get to this site during the festival itself, and returned some time later when I was in the area to take these shots. The squirrel is absolutely magnificent, although possibly dwarfed a little by the size of the white wall.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Once you zoom in close though you get a real feel for this extraordinary piece from Dzia. His style is unmistakable, and his subject matter pretty much always from the natural world. He is a great advocate for wildlife street art.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I am constantly amazed at how the mish mash of lines and colours, which on their own seem directionless, come together to produce a perfect whole. Dzia is a hugely accomplished artist and it was a real treat to have him here in Bristol for Upfest.

Easy to forget

 

Exquisite beauty

I see it all around me;

a wonderful world.

 

by Scooj

1217. Stucley Place, London (1)

Not too far away from Camden Town tube station and in the direction of Camden Lock Market is an absolute jewel of a street – Stucley Place. There are a few walls here that have some lovely work, and this is the first of three posts from my visit to Camden Town in November.

Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017
Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017

Gnasher (David Nash) is an extraordinary artist who seems to be able to produce amazing photorealistic pieces with consummate ease. Last July I posted a work he produced in Leake Street tunnel featuring Guardians of the Galaxy characters. In this piece he has produced a stunning portrait of a chimpanzee that conveys a sadness and wisdom that seems to be nature’s lot in today’s world.

Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017
Gnasher, Stucley Place, London, November 2017

It is a difficult piece to photograph because of the glare, but even with these slightly dodgy pictures it is possible to see what a truly classy piece this is. So definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area.

1174. Cottrell Road (2)

Zase and Dekor are the masters of large high-impact walls in Bristol, and most of the pieces that they do, go up and stay up. In this particular case they have replaced a piece that they sprayed here a few years ago, because the wall needed to be re-rendered.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

The wall is a local landmark which has a vast audience because it is just off the M32 and outside a large retail park and the Eastville Tesco. Thousands of people will drive past it every day and I’m sure will be captivated by the unfolding story.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

The central theme of the piece revolves around some local wildlife, a squirrel, a robin, a fox, a hedgehog and a badger, set in a rather stark woodland. Hovering above is a fabulous 3D wildstyle ZASE, a feature common to all their collaborations.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

There is a wonderful touch in this work, a reference to the piece that existed here before – a lady riding on the back of a turtle with a colander on her head – she is in the bottle. On reflection, I wonder if it is not a lady, but a gentleman…I can’t be sure now.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Road, Bristol, September 2017

This is a mighty and detailed piece that sits so comfortably in this location – I am certain that it will remain here for many years cheering up shoppers and commuters and bringing a smile to their faces. Xase and Dekor doing Bristol proud.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

1166. Chalk Farm (3)

When I saw this piece in the Chalk Farm housing estate I instantly recognised the artist as Jerry Rugg or Bird0. He painted a fabulous piece for Upfest 2016, which is still there and looks like it will remain permanently.

Jerry Rugg, Chalk Farm, London, November 2017
Jerry Rugg, Chalk Farm, London, November 2017

Bird0 has a great skill for fusing abstract shapes and designs with wildlife forms to create these otherworldly creatures. His pieces are characterised by the use of bright vibrant colours, lots of oranges and yellows.

Jerry Rugg, Chalk Farm, London, November 2017
Jerry Rugg, Chalk Farm, London, November 2017

This is a spectacular piece, but I had limited access to it, and took the pictures through some railings. I couldn’t work out how to get the other side and I was unsure about whether I was permitted to be there in the first place. I will go beck again and get some better shots.

Communicate 2017 conference

 

Inspirational;

advancing the way we see

the natural world.

 

by Scooj

 

The Communicate Conference, organised by the Bristol Natural History Consortium, is a coming together of wildlife/environment communications specialists from all sectors across the UK and beyond, to learn from great speakers and exceptional workshops. The challenges of ‘saving the planet’ have never been so great but the mood of the conference was to use our collective knowledge and passion to make positive changes. This, in the turbulent landscape of ‘fake news’ and ever reducing financial resources. Communicate is my annual fillip. I will do my best.

1093. Stapleton Road, Masala Bazaar (2)

I think I have been saving this one up for a while, because I like to hold back some of the really good pieces I come across. This is of course by Louis Masai and has been around for about eighteen months or so I would think.

Louis Masai, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2017
Louis Masai, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2017

Is is on a wall in Stapleton road, opposite the Andy Council spider. Louis Masai’s work is at the forefront of using street art to highlight the danger our magnificent wildlife faces, and he does it in an engaging and welcoming way. He is not protesting, rather he is educating.

Louis Masai, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2017
Louis Masai, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2017

This pangolin piece I think is my favourite of his in Bristol, probably because I am very fond of these bizarre creatures, and he has captured it in an interesting pose.

Louis Masai, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2017
Louis Masai, Stapleton Road, Bristol, January 2017

The patchwork quilt effect that Louis Masai achieves in his work is quite remarkable, and you could spend hours just looking at the detail in each section of the ‘material’. In this particular piece, the pebble dash wall adds another level of texture to the overall work…although it must be a nightmare to spray on. All good. Now to save the planet.

Leaf litter

 

On the woodland floor

fallen from the canopy

sweet caterpillar.

 

by Scooj

Busy

 

Mind your own business

I have a great deal to do

I need to scurry.

 

by Scooj

Blue

 

Still for a moment,

frenetic journey frozen;

an angel in blue.

 

by Scooj