Photographed under challenging light conditions, this outstanding piece by Dibz carries all the signature elements that identify it as one of his. For example, the overall diamond shape within which the whole piece sits, the perfect borders and solid 3D drop shadows… and of course the signature and shout out to Turoe (the birthday boy).
Dibz, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2022
The colour selection too is close to perfection, not only in the way the colours battle for attention, but also where exactly those battles take place, bringing a focus to certain parts of the work. This is writing of the highest calibre and a sight for sore eyes. One of the best from one of the best.
So many of my recent posts of archived work from 2022 begin with a disbelief or confusion about how I managed to not post/publish the piece in question. However, that opening is becoming a little clichéd and although it is tempting, I will not begin this post that way.
Elvs, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2022
I love this piece from Elvs – Beautiful writing and a Garfield… my life is complete. There are some pieces that speak loudly enough for themselves, and this is definitely one of those. I’ll leave you to enjoy it.
As with other prolific artists, I have had to group a bunch of pieces by Klashwhensober together to make sure that they get to see the light of day. This selection of pieces were all photographed in May 2022, although some may have been painted some time before then. It looks like I photographed the first ‘Sober’ piece before it was completed, and then again once finished (see Feature image). This was entirely accidental, and I only noticed they were different when I was putting this post together.
Klashwhensober, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2022
This red Klash writing, with squishy green bubbles, lasted rather a log time in this tunnel of the M32 roundabout as I recall.
Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2022
Another Klash piece, this time in the tunnel, with some nice blue transitions and decorations in the fills. I think that I would like to see Klashwhensober start to buff his walls first, because it would give his talent more of an opportunity to shine through, but this is kind of hard core writing and that is OK.
Klashwhensober, M32 spot, Bristol, May 2022
This piece presents us with a feast of colour and explosive elements, something that Klashwhensober excels at.
Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2022
Another Sober piece, again with a blue fill, but rather less frenetic than some of his work. Calm and concentrated.
Klashwhensober, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2022
Finally, another burst of energy in the tunnel, this time with the added bonus of a curious red figure peeping over the SOBER letters. I don’t know how Klashwhensober finds the energy or affords the paint for his work, but I am only glad that he does.
I’m glad I took this photograph when I did, back in April 2022, because much of this magnificent piece by Gage Graphics is now obscured with bins and advertising hoardings. The commission for Stokes Croft Takeaway is an outstanding scene featuring Disney’s Goofy character.
Gage Graphics, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2022
Goofy is faithfully recreated in this piece, but it isn’t just the character or the writing that makes this piece a great one, but also the magnificent tree rising high into a sunset sky. I also love the detail of the little bird sitting on the roof. Gage Graphics is one of the most versatile artists in Bristol, and one who receives some significant commissions about the place.
The primary reason for pieces being left behind in my archive is that I couldn’t identify the artist at the time of taking the photographs, and then the moment passes and that is that. I am sure that my archives are full of gems, and if I had more time I would mine them out on a regular basis, but at the moment that is not possible. And while I am spending time digging out archive images, I am not posting the New Year pieces, which makes life difficult. Anyhow, this is an absolute beauty from Vozie back in April last year.
Vozie, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Vozie has a great eye for her colour combinations, and has chosen some great letters for writing. The ‘V’ at the start is a strong letter and allows for all sorts of variations, and the ‘O’ and ‘Z’ also allow a certain amount of play. Vozie is clearly very accomplished and her fades, highlights and borders are always on-point. This is a lovely piece painted pre-Truss (remember her?).
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, April 2023Todoaciem, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2022Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2022Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022Todoaciem, Alfred Street, Bristol, September 2021Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, November 2020Todoaciem, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2020Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2020Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, June 2020
Bogat is an artist who is underrepresented on Natural Adventures, so this flurry of pieces that I photographed in March last year should go some way to addressing this. Although I took the pictures in March 2022, some of the pieces in the M32 J2 tunnels may have been there for a while.
Bogat, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2022
Bogat, who often painted alongside Asre, has a thing for open-mouthed portraits and the occasional octopus. The piece above, from Brunel way, is rather nicely done, with some nice shading on the octopus and its tentacles providing some depth. I rather like the bubbles rising off the writing, too, and filling the black space.
Bogat, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2022
The rest of the pieces were photographed in the tunnels of the M32 roundabout junction 2, a few hundred meters North East of the junction 3 roundabout, which is a much more popular spot.
Bogat, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2022
These tunnels are quite narrow, and dark, making photography something of a challenge. Somehow I managed to capture these pieces reasonably well, perhaps because they are in a portrait orientation rather than landscape.
Bogat, M32 roundabout J2, Bristol, March 2022
It feels good to have posted these pieces, even if they have been collected together into one post. If I didn’t do that, then there is a real possibility that they would remain in the archives forever.
I rarely miss posting anything by Hire if I can help it, so I was surprised to find this outstanding piece from this gifted artist in my March archive. On the upside, I guess, I am sharing it with you now. Even though I am currently going through an unpublished back-catalogue of street art, there is at least 50% still unpublished, which gives me a minor panic attack.
Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2022
The striking colours used in this piece are divine and the writing itself, spelling HIRE, is outstandingly painted. The fine lines cutting through the middle of each letter is what elevates this writing from the good to the exceptional. This is an absolute belter of a piece from a lovely artist.
Another fine piece that got overlooked in my February postings last year is this magnificent work from Saor. On a dull winter day, the orange elements of the piece really cut through and draw the eye in. The piece was painted alongside NTS crew mate Mudra.
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022
I may have said it before, but Saor’s style reminds me quite a lot of Epok’s work (what has happened to Epok – I wonder). The concept is highly designed and very cleanly finished, almost as if it was painted with fine brushes. I particularly like the shadow behind the right-hand side of the orange letters. As always from Saor, a nicely conceived piece, brilliantly executed.
Face 1st, Kool Hand and Soap, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
I think that 2022 was the most prolific year for Bristol street/graffiti art ever. More artists joined the already large cohort, and it would seem that many of them painted more often than before. Of course, this is counterbalanced a little by the departure of some artists, and others going to ground for sustained periods. Overall, though, it was a bumper year. What this means is that there are way too many great pieces that were left ‘on the cutting room floor’, so the next few posts will be an attempt to dig out some of the pieces I simply didn’t have time to post during the year. Starting in January 2022 with this splendid collaboration between Face 1st, Kool Hand and Soap.
Face 1st, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
I have a feeling that the reason I didn’t post this at the time is that my first round of photographs were sun/shade impacted – this is a spot to be photographed on dull days. To the left is a typically happy piece from Face 1st, that really set the tone for the joy he spread for the rest of the year.
Kool Hand, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
The middle section was painted by Kool Hand, with this really on-point crocodile holding a marker pen. I was chatting with Face 1st earlier this week, and he said that he felt that this piece really demonstrated how Kool Hand had moved up a level, and I would definitely agree.
Soap, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Finally, (and it is always finally, because Soap always paints on the right-hand side of a collaboration) we have a superbly expressive piece of writing from Soap, one of his very best, in my opinion, with stacks of movement and interest. Even if you can’t quite read his letters, he has signed the piece with his tag three times for good measure. I am so sorry you have had to wait a whole year for this one.
Natural adventures 