As is so often the case with finding new work on the street, I was not looking for this piece. On the contrary I was trying to capture a few more Upfest pieces that I hadn’t yet seen in their completed state and drove past this hoarding. I had to act quickly to pull over into a free parking space and jump out of the car for a quick snap.
Smak, Ashton Road, Bristol, September 2018
This sublime graffiti writing is by the superb Smak, and is outstanding in many ways. The colour palette is beautifully selected and the chrome/grey parts of the lettering in particular have a great 3D effect. The letters spell out SMAK but are quite nicely concealed in this piece. Really great work.
When I first saw this remarkable piece on Instagram I knew I had to get down to Dean Lane as soon as possible to see it before it got buffed or dogged. It is by the brilliant SkyHigh, who was obviously on a flying trip to Bristol.
SkyHigh, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
SkyHigh’s works can probably best be described as writing out his name in a mash-up of different block letter styles and colours. To some it might look messy, but to others this is a considered and stunning way to put a piece together. I love his work, and this is one of those pieces that looks great in a photograph…and even better in the flesh. I was pleased to have been able to see it. Top work. Nice little tribute to CKone and nod to his painting pal Roo.
He keeps spraying them and I keep posting them. This is yet another ‘TES’ from Slim Pickings using a rather bright colour palette of purple and light blue, which seems to work rather well.
Slim Pickings, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
I like his work, the repetition and precision, striving for perfection. I like his colour selections looking for contrast or complememtary shades, always thinking. It is probably about time I saw another one of these.
Following on immediately from my last post is this collaboration in Dean Lane between Laic217 and Cort. You should be able to spot immediately the similarity of the Laic217 character here and the one he sprayed in Moon Street a few days earlier. This time the piece is complete with teeth and spray can.
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
I love this character and for me is reminiscent of the absurd ‘Far Side’ characters dreamed up by cartoonist Gary Larson. There is a lot to admire here, and the special detail of a Nirvana t-shirt with a spaced-out smiley just highlights how good this piece is.
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
I also am increasingly enjoying the work of Laic217’s painting partner, Cort, and although his style might take a little getting used to, it is good work. I am beginning to wonder if Cort and Corupt might be the same artist, as they share many characteristics, but I have nothing to confirm this idea. I’ll have to investigate. A fine collaboration.
A collection of graffiti art from the Bristol writer Soker
All photographs taken by Scooj
Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2020Soker, Paint festival, Cheltenham, September 2020Inkie and Soker, Paint festival, Cheltenham, September 2020Paul Monsters and Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol September 2020Soker, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2020Soker, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2020Andy Council and Soker, North Street, Bristol, July 2020Soker, North Street, Bristol, July 2020Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, February 2019Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2020Soker, Inkie and Hemper, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020Soker, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2020Paul Monsters and Soker, Waterloo Place, Bristol, June 2019Soker, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2019Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, February 2019Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019Soker, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2017Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, September 2018Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018Soker and 3Dom, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018Soker, New Stadium Road, Bristol, August 2018Soker, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2018Soker, Old Bread Street, Bristol, September 2016Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018Soker, Jubilee Street, Bristol, January 2017Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017Soker, Bedminster, Bristol, September 2017Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017Soker, Cheo and Deamze, Church Road, Bristol, September 2017Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016Soker, Bond Street, Bristol, June 2017Soker and Cheo, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017Soker, Albert Park, Bristol, July 2016Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, February 2017Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, March 2017Soker, Church Road, Bristol, March 2017FLX, 3Dom, Epok, Soker, Sepr, Horley Road, Bristol, October 2016Soker, Norfolk Place, Bristol, August 2016Soker, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, September 2016Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2016Soker, Wilder Street, Bristol, September 2016Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2016Soker, North Street, Bristol, June 2016Soker, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Deamze, Voyder and Soker, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Soker, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016Soker, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015Soker, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2106Voyder and Soker, Midland Street, Bristol, October 2015Feek and Soker, Jubilee Street, Bristol, November 2015Soker, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016
A fabulous piece by one of Bristol’s finest graffiti writers, with a little addition by 3Dom, who seems to be rather busy on the streets just now. I got rather lucky with this piece, because I saw Soker just as he was sketching the piece out, over the top of a Mr Draws piece I had come to look at. I then had to go, and took a break for a week away on holiday. Luckily the piece was fully intact and untouched when I got back – respect to those taggers who decided to leave this one alone.
Soker and 3Dom, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Soker is on something of a roll this summer, and his work appears to be as popular as ever. I posted his Simpsons Upfest piece on my Instagram account and it received more likes than any other piece I have ever posted by a factor of about 3.
Soker and 3Dom, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
I love the colour selections he has made for this piece, the blue and purple contrasting brilliantly with the chrome writing. There is so much to like here, and even if you are not a fan of burners and writing, surely this must generate some excitement – the quality shines through.
Soker and 3Dom, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
The whole thing is capped off briliantly by the addition of a face to the letter ‘O’ by 3Dom, bringing the whole thing alive and giving it incredible personality. The face almost looks like a transfer that has been rubbed onto the writing. A quality collaboration. Bravo.
Well, who might this gothic wildstyle writing be by? There is a clue in the writing, but it is so cryptic that you probably need to know what you are looking for to be able to see it. The writing says HIRE, and it is indeed the work of this naturalised Bristolian of Polish origin.
Hire, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
His work is so distinctive, with its long, sharp and jagged lines – his pieces always remind me of medieval battle scenes, with swords, axes and lances crashing in all directions – maybe that is just me, but I say what I see. I am really pleased with the picture above, because the light in the tunnel plays havoc with my camera and the poor lighting in the tunnel meets with bright light outside where this piece is situated. Nice work from Hire.
Without doubt, this is one of the most difficult walls in Bristol to photograph. I think I have only ever passed by once when there hasn’t been a car parked in front of it, so rather than wait for hell to freeze over I decided to give it my best shot…I think I might have got away with it (just).
3Dom, Albert Park, Bristol, July 2018
The fabulous wildstyle writing is by 3Dom – you can make out the letters – and is a complex and colourful piece. I think it might have been painted at the same time as Feek’s most recent camel which adjoins this wall. 3Dom is one of only a handful of writers in Bristol who produces separate writing and street art works, both equally high quality. A great wall, but seriously in need of a couple of extra yellow lines.
Just as Upfest was waking up to the Saturday morning influx of visitors, I took a look in Dean Lane to see what was happening, because it is usually pretty busy down there during the festival. I took shelter from a downpour with a couple of artists who worked on this lose collaboration.
Unity, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2018
On the left was a half finished piece by Unity, an artist from Cardiff. I very much liked what I saw, but regrettably it had been painted over by the time I came back to see it at the end of the day. I had a great chat with her while we waited for the rain to abate and discovered that I probably have one or two of her older pieces in my archive…time to dig them out.
Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2018
The middle section was by Rusk who had already finished and left the scene – maybe to work on his ‘official’ piece in South Street park. This quick one was of the high quality you expect from Rusk – he never disappoints.
Cyst, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2018
Finally, on the right of the collaboration was a piece by Cyst, from Cheshire. I was pleased to have been able to meet him, because it can be difficult sometime to identify work from visiting graff writers. All three pieces were very short-lived, but that is what you expect in Dean Lane, especially so during Upfest. Nice collaboration
Mr Draws is an artist I have always rather liked. His work always brings a smile to my face…it is bright and cheerful, simple and striking and it has a habit of cropping up anywhere in Bristol.
Mr Draws, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2018
This is one of his faviurite spots in The Bearpit, and this quick one uses the space perfectly. Never too sophisticated, but always really easy on the eye. Mr Draws has plans to leave the UK for Germany soon, but I’m not sure if that is still going ahead. If so, I will surely miss his cheerful work – I still have loads in my archive that will keep me going for a while.
Natural adventures 