From just a little while back, this is a wonderful example of wildstyle writing from the Bristol-based graffiti writer Soge. Like his Polish counterparts, his writing has a hint of the Gothic about it, although not quite as much as Hire. In my view there is certainly a difference in influence and derivation between the Polish and British writers – but you would expect that.
Soge, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2018
Soge’s colour palette in this piece is very easy on the eye and there is something about the overall shape and design that reminds me a little of Inkie’s work. The letters quite clearly spell out SOGE. Great work.
There is one circumstance in which is is absolutely ok to buff over someone’s work, and that is when it is your own.Here is an example of just that where Soker has painted over one of his own pieces, and if you look closely, you can see the similar shape of the letter ‘R’ in both.
Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Wildstyle writing (graffiti writing) is an incredible artform in its own right, and I am a big fan of it. That has not always been the case. In the early days of photographing street art, I simply didn’t get it and considered it inferior and messy. Having studied it for close on four years now, I am able to enjoy it just as much as conventional street art. Soker of course is the master of this form.
Yet another fine collaboration between Cheo and Soker – these two seem to be on something of a roll at the moment, producing countless pieces all over the city of Bristol. This one perfectly fills the space on the hoardings in front of a new development.
Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, September 2018
The piece is bookended by a pair of mischievous spray can characters painted by Cheo, and in the middle of all of this is a dazzling piece of writing by Soker which spells out SUMOE. I guess I should know what sumoe is all about, but alas I have no idea. There is a whole bunch of #sumoe graffiti Instagram, most of it in the USA.
Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, September 2018
Cheo has pretty much nailed it with his bookends as he seems to with pretty much everything he does. With their dark furry eyebrows, there is something of the Muppets in his characters. Of course we are also graced with the presence of one of his signature bees.
Soker, Raleigh Road, Bristol, September 2018
Soker’s writing is composed primarily of four horizontal layers ranging from light blue at the top through to light purple at the bottom, each layer smattered with accents or decoration. He has also worked quite an unusual double 3D shadow cast by the letters. This is a great collaboration from this ASK duo, and well worth the trip to Raleigh Road.
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.
Natural adventures 