6110. M32 roundabout J3 (582)

Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2024
Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2024

I am taking a little break from Upfest now to concentrate on the street and graffiti art that happens every single day in Bristol, the lifeblood of the urban art culture in the City. One of the stalwarts of this culture is Biers (a name I use because this is what he used to write when I first encountered him – he goes by several other names these days, including Jimothy Slip).

Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2024
Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2024

This is a very neat and tidy WD40/character combination piece, although I have had trouble identifying the character peering out of the ‘0’. The fills in the letters are nicely worked and the thick white drop shadow lifts the letters nicely above the lime green background. A nice piece from Biers.

6109. Upfest 2024 (25)

Kid Crayon, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Kid Crayon, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

This combination character and graffiti writing piece by Bristol’s Kid Crayon was something of a rarity at Upfest this year. It seems fitting that Kid Crayon was selected to paint this wall, because for me, he kind of represents the ‘Bristol school’ of street art, and although the styles of Bristol are enormously varied, somehow KC encapsulates them in his art.

Kid Crayon, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Kid Crayon, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

The piece is a tribute to Jack Black, who KC obviously admires, and he openly states “This is not the greatest Montana burner in the world, no, this is just a tribute!”. This statement shows Kid Crayon’s modesty, because this is an accomplished piece, perfectly presented for an Upfest audience. It would have been nice to see a bit more graffiti writing at this year’s festival – maybe next time. More of Kid Crayon’s work in this gallery.

6103. Greville Smyth Park (2)

Acer One, Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, May 2024

Although this outstanding collaboration piece from Andy Council, Acer One and Paul Monsters was painted a little while ago, I only got to photograph it during Upfest 2024, however it is not an Upfest piece (although many visitors won’t know that). This is what I call a true collaboration, where the distinct styles of the three artists are combined into one story, and they have achieved this fusion expertly.

Acer One, Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Andy Council and Paul Monsters, Greville Smyth Park, Bristol, May 2024

The three components are a wonderful geometric background design from Paul Monsters, which creates a colourful backdrop and tone, while also providing some depth with light and shadow tricks. The writing ‘New Story’ and circle are beautifully created by Acer One, whose precision and accuracy are unsurpassed. Note the subtle shadow to the lower and left sides of the letters, lifting them ever so gently from the wall. Finally, the greyscale monster in thee middle is painted by Andy Council and stands out against the colour of the background and is framed by the circle. Brilliant composition from the three of them. The piece was painted on the Spring Equinox on 24 March 2024 and a film and full explanation of the collaboration is given on Andy Council’s Instagram feed.

6102. Cumberland Basin

Sait Bare, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, May 2024
Sait Bare, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, May 2024

Rather annoyingly, I keep missing pieces by Sait Bare, either finding them prior to completion or that they have been overpainted, so it was a relief to find this one finished and intact. This letter/character combination piece is painted in a metallic gold colour, that is strong, and the background decor reflects the general messiness of the wall.

Sait Bare, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, May 2024
Sait Bare, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, May 2024

The letters spell SAIT with the character taking the pace of the letter ‘i’, and there is a deep red and black striped drop shadow. The character is painted in a carton style, with the eyes and mouth standing out in white against the gold. There is a lot to like about this piece and I look forward to finding more from Sait Bare.

6100. Sparke Evans Park (97)

Kosc, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2024
Kosc, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2024

It is too easy to be seduced into expecting outstanding work from Kosc, and what I mean by that is that it isn’t easy to turn out unbelievably great from work every painting session, and it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Kosc works really hard, continuously improves and seems to be reaching another level these days.

Kosc, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2024
Kosc, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2024

This piece was painted alongside Stivs (to follow) in a collaboration that shares a colour scheme and combination theme. It would seem that the creative ideas were liberally shared, with Kosc creating some calligraffiti letters in a kind of Gothic font which have turned out really well. The eye though is drawn to the extraordinary portrait replacing the ‘O’ of Kosc. The fine detail and sheer beauty of the portrait is unbelievable, and that it is painted in two shades simply adds to the wonder of the piece. Kosc’s portrait work is magnificent, and this piece showcases it perfectly. We are blessed in Bristol.

6098. Leicester

Inkie, Nottingham, May 2024
Inkie, Nottingham, May 2024

These pieces bring together the familiar with the unfamiliar. Finding Inkie pieces in other towns and cities is always hugely rewarding, and gives me a sense of Bristol pride. To find two pieces in a city that I have never visited in my life before was definitely a bonus. I’m not too sure when these pieces were painted, and not to sure whether they survived the ‘Bring the Paint’ festival which was starting (coincidentally) on the morning I was out taking these photographs.

Inkie, Nottingham, May 2024
Inkie, Nottingham, May 2024

The two pieces showcase Inkie’s portfolio really well, containing his stylised Art Nouveau portraits and in the second piece combined with a classic piece of Inkie writing. Always good to see, and Inkie wasn’t the only Bristol artist to have painted in the city where I spotted artwork by Mr Penfold, Lewse, Skank and others… making me feel very much at home. I might have to pay another visit sometime.

Solar

A gallery of fabulous anti-style graffiti writing from Bristol artist Solar.

Crew PLB (Placebo)

All photographs by Scooj

Solar and Nice One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2024
Solar and Nice One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2024

Solar, New Stadium Road, Bristol, August 2024
Solar, New Stadium Road, Bristol, August 2024

j9449j and Solar, Montpelier Park, Bristol, June 2024
j9449j and Solar, Montpelier Park, Bristol, June 2024

Solar, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2024
Solar, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2024

Solar, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2023
Solar, Brunel Way, Bristol, September 2023

Solar, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2023
Solar, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2023

Solar, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023
Solar, Peel Street Green, Bristol, June 2023

Solar, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2023
Solar, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2023

Solar, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2023
Solar, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2023

Solar, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2022
Solar, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2022

Solar, Frome side, Bristol, October 2022
Solar, Frome side, Bristol, October 2022

Solar, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2022
Solar, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2022

Solar, New Stadium Road, Bristol, April 2021
Solar, New Stadium Road, Bristol, April 2021

6085. Cumberland Basin

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

A bit of a quick one today, because I have an early start and a very long day running another workshop, so today’s posts were (are being) written last night after a long weekend away. This is a shame, because there is quite a lot to say about this unusual and very clever piece by Acer One.

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

There are two words in this circle, ‘CONRAD’ in gold and ‘BUKEM’ in black. These names relate to Acer One’s love of drum and bass and are tributes to MC Conrad and LTJ Bukem. At that point my knowledge about this piece drops off a cliff. How Acer One conceived and then executed this piece is what makes him so very special. This is the work of a very talented artist.

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

Not content with this triumph, Acer One also had a little play with some anamorphic art just around the corner, I mean, why not? Many attempt and fail with this king of trickery, but Acer One has managed to do a good job, and if only my photography was up to scratch you’d see how well he did. Acer One is an artist who is always pushing boundaries and developing his technical skills. Great work.

Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

6084. M32 Cycle path (267)

 

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

It is great to see Benjimagnetic out and about again after a bit of a winter lull. He appears to have returned with a slight upgrade to his style that feels rather fresher and is exciting. The colours of this piece shout out loudly and attract the eye, with the orange splashes rounding things off so well.

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

The letters BEN can be seen if you know to look for them. Benjimagnetic is known for his tidy designs and styling made up of thin lines, which can be seen throughout this piece. Well finished and classy, this is a lovely piece by the artist, and a taste of things to come.

6083. M32 roundabout J3 (580)

Urge, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024
Urge, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

Sometimes you come across a great piece of graffiti writing without having the faintest idea about who the artist is or where they are from, and this piece by Urge is one of those. I think I only found out who Urge was by doing some investigation using Instagram, but other than finding an Instagram account, I am not much wiser. I do know that he isn’t from Bristol.

Urge, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024
Urge, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

The graffiti writing itself is really beautifully presented and from the hand of a skilled writer. The letters, in a graded series of slate grey tones, spell out URGE and are emphasised with a splash of pinks exploding out from the edge of the piece. Classy stuff from the visiting writer.