Tag: Writer

2305. New Stadium Road (15)

I think that Ugar is a much unrecognised and perhaps underrated graffiti writer in Bristol. His work is always neat and tidy and his fills usually imaginative and skilfully painted, but I rarely see photographs of his work in the digital ‘datasphere’. One reason may be that he is probably just less well known than other more established artists, or my perception might simply be wrong.

Ugar, New Stadium Road, Bristol, June 2019
Ugar, New Stadium Road, Bristol, June 2019

This little pedestrian underpass is one of my least favourite places to take pictures because of the uneven light conditions, but this one hasn’t turned out too badly. Ugar’s writing is always unsymmetrical but nonetheless recognisable, his letters being of various sizes and not conforming to a grid. But it is his decorations and fills that really set this artist apart from others, he seems to have a talent for nailing this element of his work. Keep it up Ugar.

2299. Dean Lane skate park (226)

Well these two seem to have come out of hibernation, and this is one of two recent collaborations between Soge and Hire. These two are both Polish artists who have adopted Bristol as their home and have been collaborating for a few years now.

Soge, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Soge, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019

On the left is a fine and rather complex piece of writing by Soge, which does actually spell out SOGE although it is highly disguised. His style is like a kind of organic Gothic and seems to be from the same school as Hire and quite unusual for Bristol. Long thin sections of lettering with sharp points, this is technically very difficult and brilliantly executed.

Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019

On the right is one of Hire’s trademark rabbits which are altogether more ‘street’ and sinister than the rather cuddly rabbits painted by fellow countryman Nevergiveup. There is a lot of menace in this rabbit – not one I’d like to meet on a dark night – and you can see how the fur, all pointy, reflects the style in Soge’s writing. These two would seen to enjoy each other’s company and it is a pleasure to see them back out and painting again.

2296. M32 Cycle path (32)

This is an interesting piece by Decay along the M32 cycle path that uses minimal colours to great effect. Looking at his work recently has brought us on a bit of an adventure, crossing over from his abstract work into his writing, while retaining his little character ‘Chuck’ throughout. This piece almost feels like it is a reversion back to the abstract, even though it does spell out DECAY.

Decay, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Decay, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

Decay has been incredibly prolific this year and has also teamed up regularly with other artists including Rezwonk and Nightwayss. It is interesting how artists build up these paint friendships which seem to be more linked to their personalities than their styles (take SPZero76 and Kid Crayon of the Eat crew for example).

Decay, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Decay, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

It would appear that Decay has recently joined the LRS Krew (Last Radical Souls) who seem to be a loosely connected global crew who write the LRS everywhere. Here is his contribution (which is rather classier than many of the others on their Instagram feed) which he painted adjacent to the piece above. Always great work from Decay.

2295. Lawrence Hill Roundabout (9)

I guess I have been posting pieces by Diced Mango since the beginning of the year and I can honestly say that I think that this is his best piece yet. On one of the tunnel entrances (the Easton swimming pool side) he has found the perfect spot to show the piece off.

Diced Mango, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, June 2019
Diced Mango, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, June 2019

I think that he has absolutely nailed the flames effect and his colour selections work really well. He has really developed his technique in such a short space of time, and it is easy to chart his improvement. I’m looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

2294. Dean Lane skate park (225)

It is great to see Mr Draws back out and enjoying himself. This is a really colourful piece (gone already I’m afraid) that kind of reminds me a little of birthday party wrapping paper. The letters DREW, a corruption of Draws, are connected with some kind of tubing that looks a little like a worm.

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019

What you see is what you get with Mr Draws. There is nothing pretentious about his work and he has developed a style that is all his own. If you are looking for perfect geometric lines or clever 3D shading, then probably best to look elsewhere. I lioke his work because of its authenticity and honesty – rare commodities just at the moment. Brought a smile to my face.

2290. M32 Cycle path (31)

Painted during a bit of a paint-jam down on the cycle path a couple of weeks back, this is a nice bit of writing from Bristol-based artist Hypo. I have only seen a couple of his pieces from Upfest before, so it is great to see something beyond that ‘safe’ environment.

Hypo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Hypo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

The writing is quite unusual with large spaces between the letters. If his name wasn’t so obviously part of this piece I think I would have difficulty in identifying it, as it isn’t like the other pieces I am more familiar with. Nice though.

Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

2284. M32 roundabout J13 (149)

Over the last three or four months a new (to me) graffiti writer, Phist, has hit the streets hard, often partnering up with Renso (who is actually Oner). He seems most unfussy about where he sprays and his name has sprung up all over the city. I often wonder with these ‘new’ artists whether they are in fact simply new to Bristol or whether somehow they have just been off my radar… difficult to know until I get a chance to ask them.

Phist, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2019
Phist, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2019

I am not the biggest fan of burners like this, but some of these writers rise to the top and Phist in my view is one of those.  His letters are nice and clean, his fills nicely done and the little accent white circles help to give the whole thing a little bit of sparkle. I think this is a rather classy and smooth piece and a strong debut to the pages of Natural Adventures.

2283.Dean Lane skate park (223)

It can be a little tiresome for people like me when artists change their ‘street’ names, because it mucks up how I catalogue them and how I write about them. A case in point is Biers (old name) who now goes by the moniker Kool Aid, and instead of writing Biers like he used to, writes Oh Yeah instead. I am a creature of habit so will continue to call him Biers, so there! In this piece he has teamed up with No Frills stablemate Bags about whom I know zilch, so some work for me to do there.

Biers, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Biers, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019

The standard approach from Biers is to accompany his uniquely stylish writing with a little character, usually associated with a TV cartoon character. I rather enjoy trying to find out who his little characters are, but in this piece my Google research has failed me. Nice tidy collaboration.

2281. Norfolk Place (5)

Sometimes you’ve just got to go big and bold, and they don’t come much bigger and bolder than this fine piece of writing from Soker. This is a wall that doesn’t seem to change all that often, and is usually occupied by an ASK artist.

Soker, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2019
Soker, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2019

There is a lot to like about this piece which looks so graceful, clean and simple, but it takes a lot of skill and experience to pull off writing like this. The letter font is easy on the eye, and the green and white highlights help to give a 3D appearance, and the whole thing is set off on a nice background of cool colours and shapes. It is the pink touches that add just a little bit of class. A fine work.

2275. M32 roundabout J3 (149)

Wahey! Another sensational Soap piece, and it seems like there is absolutely no stopping him at the moment… he’s on a roll. This is a crazy and eclectic piece that draws on a whole bunch of styles, patterns and colours to spell out SOAP.

Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2019
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2019

I just get the feeling every time I see his work that there is a lot of joy going on at the moment and it really comes across in his work. With some artists you can spot angst or pain or sadness or perfectionism and so on, but Soap’s work simply screams out happiness.