Tag: wildlife

406. Upfest 2016 (39)

I posted about this collaborating pair only a few days ago when I wasn’t sure who the artists were. Now I know who they are, I feel that I can write about them with a little more confidence. The work, which was one of the many in South Street Park, was a subtle collaboration between Serge KB and Simian Switch, surrounded by highly colourful and eye-catching pieces.

Serge KB and Simian Switch, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Serge KB and Simian Switch, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I loved the artwork in this, in particular Serge KB’s ‘deer’ which was extremely similar to the one he sprayed at the M32. Perhaps he was practicing for the festival? Simian Switches ‘octopus’ grappling with spray cans brings an element of humour to the piece too.

Simian Switch, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Simian Switch, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Both artists left ‘extras’ in the area which I will post about when I get through a little more of my ridiculous backlog of photographs. Street artists stop for nobody.

400. The Bearpit (25)

It is fitting that my 400th post on street art should feature Aspire. It is difficult to tire of his incredible graffiti pictures of birds. This fine bird in the incongruous setting of The Bearpit is an American Goldfinch and can still be found at the end of the Southern tunnel.

Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016

Aspire really needs to get out to New York and paint for the Audubon Mural Project, he even paints American birds! I’m not sure how artists get an invitation to paint for the project, but it must be time for Aspire? In the meantime, we’ll just enjoy his work here in Bristol.

Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, August 2016

398. M32 Roundabout J3 (17)

UPDATE: Instagram to the rescue…this work it appears is a collaboration between Serge KB (Kortenbroek) and Simian Switch, both from the Netherlands. In this work, the animal is the work of Serge KB and the background by Simian Switch.

Generally I don’t like to post an artwork unless I know who it is by, but occasionally the interweb lets me down, and I just can’t seem to track down the artist. This is one such case.

Unknown artist, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, August 2016
Unknown artist, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, August 2016

This lovely work appeared around the same time as Upfest, so I am guessing that the artist isn’t local, or if they are, I haven’t seen any of their work before. There was another piece at Dean Lane skate park by the same artist which appeared at the same time, but no obvious signature there either. I love this piece, the colour selections and the depiction of the animal create quite a unique feel. It is simply beautiful, and I felt I had to post it to share it, but also to possibly get some insight from readers as to who the artist is.

393. Chance Street, Shoreditch, London (1)

I think it is safe to say that Roa must make it into most street art/graffiti art enthusiasts’ top ten, particularly those interested in wildlife and nature. On my latest work trip to London, I had another overnight stay and took advantage by finding a hotel not too far from Shoreditch.

Roa, Chance Street, London, August 2016
Roa, Chance Street, London, August 2016

I walked towards Brick Lane and found this wonderful, enormous hedgehog. Roa’s work is almost always in black and white tones and is picked out especially well on brickwork. The style is unmistakable and unique, sometimes a difficult thing to achieve in a crowded and growing scene.

Roa, Chance Street, London, August 2016
Roa, Chance Street, London, August 2016

When I was a youth, hedgehogs were abundant, so much so that they were very regular victims of road kill, even in cities. I even used to feed a family of them in my London back garden. Now alas, they are very much in decline. In fact this Roa depiction is the only hedgehog I have seen for about twenty years. It is a wonderful reminder of the splendour of this little creature. Thank you Roa.

389. Upfest 2016 (33)

I never made it to Upfest 2015, which might be a blessing, as I would probably still be writing posts about it now if I had. I was struck though by how many ‘treats’ were hidden in the North Street area after the event.

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

It was in searching carefully for these ‘treats’ that I started to find some lovely paste ups by 23Magpies, such as this chameleon. Her work is heavily focused on wildlife and the environment, and her feature piece for Upfest was this lovely fox and design.

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

I am a big fan of 23Magpies’ work and will be writing about some of the treats she left behind after this year’s festival. On this particular piece, you’ve got to love the detail of the bee on the rim, which the fox appears to be watching. Great stuff.

388. Upfest 2016 (32)

This artist has appeared regularly on this blog and requires no introduction. Aspire’s birds are in inspiration and a tonic for those who live in the city of Bristol. He is a prolific artist who brightens up the some of the darker places for example; The Bearpit and walls and hoardings in the Stokes Croft area.

Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

 

This is not the first Blue Jay that I have seen by Aspire, and I hope he will continue to do more. This one is special though, in that it was produced for Upfest and will remain intact for at least a year as it is within the playground of Ashton Gate School, in the company of some other great street art.

Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Alas! I didn’t make it to this site on the Saturday, and missed the opportunity of seeing Aspire at work and of meeting him. Note to self…make better use of the Saturday at Upfest 2017.

Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Aspire, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

“You are beautiful when you are who you are”

383. Upfest 2016 (27)

I am a huge fan of China Girl Tile, and was so excited to hear that she would be at Upfest 2016. I had seen lots of her work on social media, but nothing in the flesh, so it was a real treat not only to see her at work, but to be able to say hello and stop for a quick chat.

China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I caught up with China Girl Tile while she was finishing off her work in the drizzle on the second day of the festival. The wall she was working on is in the back yard of the Hen and Chicken and in really great company (Fake, Cosmo Sarson…and others).

China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I am glad she chose foxes for this installation, because as many of you may know Bristol is famous for its urban foxes. In fact some research a few years ago showed that the most densely populated group of foxes on record were in and around my allotment. Their numbers fell due to mange and the introduction of wheelie bins with strong lids. I digress. I love foxes.

China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Her reference to the Campbells soup tin is not only witty but is incorporated so very well into the unfolding story.

China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Her work is unusual and refreshing and executed with such skill and dedication. The tiles are really beautiful and enchanting. Please can we get more China Girl Tile work in Bristol.

China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

 

Queens’ flight

 

In their millions

reminiscent of ash spewed

from a volcano.

 

by Scooj

371. Upfest 2016 (22)

There was so much street art on offer at Upfest, that if you blinked you could miss something. I am so glad I had my camera with me, although on the day I took this photograph, my camera ran out of battery (aaaaargh what an idiot!) so I had to use my phone camera, and the results don’t really do the art justice. This was one of those pieces that was better ‘in the flesh’ but still looks pretty good in this photograph.

Mutiny, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Mutiny, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

The artist is Mutiny (Jane Laurie), a British, London-based,  wildlife illustrator, fine art painter and street artist. Clearly very talented and driven with a desire to raise awareness about endangered wildlife; she uses the hashtag #lovewildlife and signature anatomical heart on all her street art work. Oh! so much great stuff at Upfest.

365. Upper York Street (3)

More great art from one of the very best local Bristol street artists. (This is a difficult judgement to make, because there are so many of them that are just incredible). Sled One has created a wild and wonderful mural with curious giraffe-like creatures as its centrepiece.

Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016

I would say that the colours and overall style are certainly in the 3Dom school of street art, and far removed from the extraordinarily brilliant wildstyle burners that are Sled One’s trademark. I love Sled One’s work, and I would guess that he freestyled this, as he generally seems to freestyle everything.

Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016

I am always in awe of his work. The details and stories are great. In this picture the giraffe on the right appears to be peeing on the tent of the giraffe on the left – not sure what the background to this might be, but there is definitely a story there somewhere.