Tag: wildlife

740. Dean Lane skate park (44)

You’ve got to be slightly crazy not to love an owl…I think I might have said this before somewhere in this blog. It took me a long time to post this piece, it has been sitting in my archives, because I wanted to be sure who the artist was. It is by the French artist Braga Last1 and was sprayed during a visit to Bristol in September 2016.

Braga Last1, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2016
Braga Last1, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2016

I love it when artists from all over Europe, and indeed, the world come to visit Bristol and leave pieces for our citizens to enjoy. It certainly validates Bristol’s claim to being a world class street/graffiti art destination, something that is becoming a bit of a USP for the city.

Braga Last1, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2016
Braga Last1, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2016

This is a beautiful piece and captures the form of the owl so well. The eyes are absolutely amazing. Despite being in Dean Lane, the piece stood in place unmarked for a couple of months before eventually being painted over – a mark of respect from other artists.

 

 

 

 

Gone

 

Trees and hedges clipped

nowhere for the birds to perch

miss the joy they bring.

 

by Scooj

Grey sky sailing

.

Masters of the air

gulls soaring effortlessly

and pigeons dancing. 

.

by Scooj

556. New Gatton Road

It is always great to see one of Louis Masai’s works close up, and this is no exception. I have actually visited this work several times recently, but the pictures have not been too good, mainly because of the shadows cast onto the wall from the tree in front of it. Hwever I got there in the end on an overcast day.

Louis Masai, New Gatton Road, Bristol, December 2016
Louis Masai, New Gatton Road, Bristol, December 2016

The messages that Louis Masai brings to his work chime for me, and I like the way he draws attention to some of the world’s more pressing issues relating to the environment and wildlife. To do so with such brilliant artwork is a rare talent. I hope his work turns a few heads and perhaps encourages people to take action, in whatever form that might take.

Louis Masai, New Gatton Road, Bristol, December 2016
Louis Masai, New Gatton Road, Bristol, December 2016

Louis Masai has produced dozens of these animal quilt pieces recently, and they seem to work so well, bringing together the organic and inorganic and injecting life into them. This particular piece is well worth a look, and can be found just on the edge of St Werburghs at the end of Mina Road.

Louis Masai, New Gatton Road, Bristol, December 2016
Louis Masai, New Gatton Road, Bristol, December 2016

 

495. The Bearpit (26)

On the 15th October 2016 The Bearpit played host to an international exhibition entitled ‘Resiste’. The exhibition featured the works of the Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaco, Mexico. I will cover this exhibition in more detail in a forthcoming post, but today I will focus on the participation in the exhibition by Bristol’s magnificent Aspire.

Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire has sprayed many birds in The Bearpit, but perhaps none so eye catching and appropriate to the immediate context as these two beautiful humming birds. The Bearpit is awash with Mexican protest street art, but these humming birds bring some tranquility to the overall atmosphere.

Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Yet another example of Bristol street art at its best, working alongside other cultures, movements and politics. The Bearpit is such an interesting cultural space, often rather controversial and edgy, but never boring.

Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016

482. Upfest 2016 (56)

As a naturalist by training, I find it difficult not to be enthralled by these magnificent frogs painted by JXC at Upfest this year. I was lucky enough to see this piece half way through its creation and again on completion.

JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
I met the artist briefly late on the Sunday afternoon while he he was chatting with one of his friends who had been creating a piece nearby.

JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC is a London artist who takes inspiration from popular culture, or so the programme notes say. I’m not too bothered about that, I simply love these frogs and am intrigued with the way he approaches his work. It would appear that he painted this piece using a zonal approach rather than painting one frog, then the other, then the background etc. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but look at the half-finished pieces, and you might get the gist.

JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC, Upfest, Bristol July 2016
JXC has a rather lovely website, and you can read more about the artist here.

480. Moon Street (14)

I don’t know quite why, but I have held on to these pictures for some time now. I think it is because I was worried that I might have already posted them. I have to confess that my blog is becoming a bit of a logistical challenge…dozens of folders and thousands of images…sometimes I lose track.

Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Aspire, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Forget all about my admin issues because once again Aspire has produced another masterpiece tucked away in a neglected corner of Bristol. I love his work, I have always loved his work, and I suspect I always will love his work. If I am honest, I envy his talent, I wish I could do something like this, but I struggle even to draw the curtains. I must be content with admiring the talent of others.

474. Ashley Road (9)

Aspire sprayed this a little while ago, and within a very short space of time, a rather ‘jobsworth’ enforcement notice went up over the top of it. Some people are really stupid, or don’t really care, but when you look at the whole scene I know which bit I consider ugly and which out of place.

Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire continues on his run of fantastic bird art for the citizens of Bristol. We are lucky to say the least.

Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016

455. Upfest 2016 (52)

You may recall that I posted paste ups of a mouse and a cat by 23 Magpies recently. Well here is another one of the treats that she left behind at Upfest. This time, always on a wildlife theme, we are presented with a charming wheatpaste of a newt drawn onto the cover of an Ian Maclaren title page.

23 Magpies, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
23 Magpies, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush was Ian Maclaren’s first story about rural Scottish life. I have no idea if this is of any significance to the piece by 23 Magpies, or if it is a random bit of book used as a background context for the little newt. Whatever the intention, the execution is once again excellent. I think there may be more to come from 23 Magpies in these Upfest posts.

434. Upfest 2016 (50)

Without question, one of the highlights of this year’s Upfest was this magnificent mural by the fabulous Louis Masai. His works are nearly always highlight threats to the environment or endangered species and on that ticket alone he ranks highly in my own personal favourite artists.

Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

His recent murals have featured animals painted with a patchwork quilt kind of effect, and in this case the rhinoceros is being stitched together by a honey bee and a bumble bee.

Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

It is difficult not to be impressed with this work, and not surprisingly Louis Masai’s status in the street art world has grown in the last year or two.

Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Definitely, definitely in my top five pieces from this year’s festival. It is a pity that it is slightly off the beaten track as many visitors to Upfest will have missed it. The piece is on the Redpoint Bristol Climbing Centre on Winterstoke Road.

Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Louis Masai, Redpoint, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

It would be great if he could return next year, although I’m not sure he could better this one.