Tag: Zake

2025. Lawrence Hill roundabout (1)

I love visiting new spots, and although I have known about Lawrence Hill roundabout for a little while, I just haven’t managed to visit until recently. Actually I took the dog for a walk there, killing two birds with one stone.

Zake, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Zake, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019

There is a lot of graffiti in each of the tunnels, but of really variable quality. It also looks like turnover is pretty low as some of the pieces looked rather old and tatty. Not this wonderful piece by Zake though. I am more used to seeing his faces on the columns under the M32, so it is great to see something that doesn’t have a width restriction. Three brilliantly expressive faces in differing aspects. Lovely work.

1998. M32 Spot (37)

Well I think we all know where Zake’s favourite place to spray his work is. I think all but one of my posts have described his work on these columns under the M32 leading into Bristol. This one is recent, and he has signed it much more boldly, unlike some of his earlier pieces which were difficult to identify. Maybe he is becoming more confident in his statements now.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019

There is something a little ghoulish in his characters, but particularly in these two, with the white of their eyes prominent and the slightly strange idea of one of them spewing out of the mouth of the other. He seems to use the column space really well, which is a skill in itself. I only wish that I could find a good time of day to come and take pictures. I expect it would be best at night with a flash, because the bright light during the day plays havoc with the camera’s automatic settings.

1859. St Werburghs tunnel (52)

Deep in the heart of St Werburghs tunnel, and painted in insipid colours to match the poor and rather orange lighting, is this magnificent piece by Zake. I have only recently tracked him down on Instagram, and he doesn’t give away much, so for the time being I can’t shed much light on the piece nor the artist.

Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2018
Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2018

I have only seen his column pieces under the M32 to date, so this was a real treat of a find. The piece as a whole is mildly disturbing, probably in part because of the lack of pupils in the eyes and the centipedes framing the faces, let alone what is coming out of their mouths. This is such an original piece and one that really works for me, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

1748. M32 Spot (27)

I have been prompted to publish these wonderful cartoon faces by Zake from my archive because I am aware that he has done some more recently. I was hoping that I could find out a little bit more about the artist in the meantime, but all my searches have been fruitless.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

Zake’s faces are wonderfully expressive and in terms of their size and format seem to work very well within the rather tight constraints of the columns under the M32.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

Another characteristic of Zake’s work is the selection of brown colours for the faces, which seems to provide a good contrasting base for the features. I love this man with the pens in his shirt pocket. These are great small pieces, and it would be good to see where Zake takes this work.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

1625. M32 Spot (24)

This is not the first piece I have seen by this artist, who I assume is Zake, not Cake or Eake, but it is the first I am posting about them…watch this space for more soon. I know nothing of the artist although I have tried to find out on the Interweb, so will have to confine my writing to what I see, rather than what I know.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2018

A cartoonish portrait or character, with so much charm and personality. It is a piece that is wonderfully crafted and in a particular style with a lot of focus around the eyes. The touches in purple to give a shadow are perfect, and I love a piece that has a discrete shadow underneath (something that Sepr does a lot). I love and rate this small column piece by Zake.