A gallery of outstanding concealed portrait pieces and writing from the brilliant Bristol artist Mind 49, formerly known as Mind Control.
Instagram: @mindfortynine
All photographs by Scooj
Mind 49
Tag: Writer
7311. M32 roundabout J3 (726)
Although I have posted a couple of pieces by Roma before, I know little about the artist. There is something rather pleasing about the letter shapes, or perhaps it is simply the connection and love I have for the city of Rome.
This is a nicely presented chrome piece with a deep drop shadow in red and thin black border. The ‘o’ of ROMA is a little skull. The writing is nicely decorated with a small wave of blue stars and spots running horizontally through the letters. A rather nicely considered sand presented piece.
7310. Cumberland Basin
This is what a birthday celebration piece to self looks like… by Dibz for Dibz. The calibre of artists that turned out for this paint jam was pretty high, as you might expect, and the quality of the birthday boy’s piece reflects the quality of the others.
It is easy to get quite blazé about Dibz’ outstanding wildstyle graffiti pieces, because each one is utterly on-point, and it is what we expect, but this perfection betrays the talent, experience and hard work that Dibz puts in to achieve these incredible results. Alongside the outstanding writing, Dibz has added a little gravestone and cloud-covered moon to pick up on the Halloween theme running through the pieces in this paint jam. All so good.
7307. River Avon (100)
Since he made his return, Zinso has been smashing it, and alongside Asre, who he appears to have teamed up with, is making a sizeable impression. This is one of several pieces by the pair alongside the River Avon in St Philip’s Marsh.
The letters and smiley face combination piece is vibrant and uplifting, full of movement and joy. Zinso’s letters are nicely designed, I like the upside-down ‘i’, and filled with a mixture of blue squiggles and spots. The cartoon-style animated smiley in a contrasting yellow stands out, but is linked through being the ‘o’ of Zinso. The piece is so neat and tidy and beautifully presented.
7305. St Werburghs tunnel (543)
This is yet another classy piece from the Minto birthday paint jam in St Werburghs tunnel, and I am not even half way through posting these yet. The artist this time is 3Dom with some signature graffiti writing. The photographs are rather poor and the colour quality rather different from the two angles. I think I have a setting wrong on my phone. Maybe it is time for an upgrade…
The letters spell out his name, but what makes this so recognisable as a piece by him is the way the letters are filled with ‘organic’ shapes and patterns and the rows of spots and dots. 3Dom is equally talented at graffiti writing and his extraordinary surreal character pieces, an all round superstar really.
7304. River Avon (99)
Trafficity is one of those artists who likes to recreate the same letter form and design, with the only changes from piece to piece being the colour arrangements and occasionally some of the finishing touches. There is something comforting about this, you know what you are going to get, and it is always great quality and consistency.
This one, on the path between Sparke Evans Park and Temple Meads station, is really nicely presented, crisp and clean. The letters spell ZIOM, although I do find it hard to fathom out from time to time. The colours, yellow, green and brown are not my favourite combination, but one that the artist seems to favour. All round, a nice piece with some fun blue drip accessories to finish.
7303. St Werburghs tunnel (542)
What a gorgeous, gorgeous piece of anamorphic graffiti writing from Lokey in the tunnel. It is of course another birthday tribute to Minto, and an absolute stunner at that. This particular paint jam certainly brought out the best in several artists.
Lokey doesn’t paint all that often which is rather a pity, because there is something aesthetically pleasing about his letter shapes, and his technique of crafting depth through light and shade. It is all very clever stuff and he is a master of his craft. A lovely piece.
7300. St Werburghs tunnel (541)
For reasons that are too complicated to explain here, I don’t have my glasses with me this morning, which is making writing this post super-difficult and I am squinting, with a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp, while typing these words. Forgive any typos.
This is a superb combination piece by Biers painted to celebrate Minto’s birthday in the tunnel.
The turnout for this paint jam was exceptional, covering most of the length of both walls of the tunnel with new celebratory pieces. The letters, WD40, are superbly filled with a cartoony design of lines and bubbles, and bordered with a fine black line. I feel like I should know who the character is, but I don’t. The whole thing is set on a brick wall, a common device used by graffiti artists. A really lovely piece by Biers, who might have just got his mojo back.
7298. St Werburghs tunnel (540)
A super-quick post this morning. I am visiting my mother, and have been catching up leaving little time to write today’s posts. This is a lovely piece from Slim Pickings (Tes) in the tunnel for Minto’s birthday paint jam.
Over the last year or two, Slim Pickings has been switching up his style, and breaking away from his familiar rounded letter style. This is a wonderful example of his variation, although, the cloudy background is more consistent with his typical style. So good to watch him evolve.
7296. Cumberland Basin
2025 has without question been a year of visitors and new artists breaking onto the Bristol stage. Such an influx of talent is a reflection of Bristol’s street art culture and national/international reputation and is a blessing for me, although at times it can be a curse trying to track down who some of the artists are.
This is a stunning combination piece by Rafat Oner, who came to celebrate Dibz’ 50th birthday and wrap up his tribute with a Halloween theme for good measure. The letters RAFAT are beautifully filled with a funky black and purple design and a double green and orange drop shadow, pulling in all the colours of Halloween. The black and white portrait of a girl is a little disturbing where her face distorts on the left. Two further creepy characters are emerging from the ground. All in all a wonderful piece with lots going on to admire.
Natural adventures 