Tag: Zoe Power

4321. Greenbank (31)

This unusual piece from Zoe Power brings us back on topic with the most important issue of the moment, the dreadful invasion of Ukraine by the Russian dictator Putin. I am moved and humbled by the number of pieces that Bristol artists have painted supporting the Ukrainian people in their time of need – in the absence of being able to do much, showing support is a very good thing that we can all do.

Zoe Power, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Zoe Power, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

Zoe Power has used the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag to paint a dove of peace and to offer some kind words, ‘Welcome Refugees’. This is a sentiment shared by a vast number of British people, but sadly not by a government who have been overtly hostile to any kind of refugees entering the UK since coming in to power twelve years ago. In this moment, a time when Europe is seeing its greatest refugee crisis since WWII, we are once again observing their true colours, playing to their xenophobic supporters who have kept them in power all this time. Shame on our government. They do not represent me. All power to Zoe Power for speaking from the heart with compassion and love.

3582. Stapleton Road

This is the second of four railway column pieces in Stapleton Road to be featured on Natural Adventures. Local artists were commissioned by Network Rail and Severnside Rail Partnership to smarten up the railway supports which had become rather untidy with a plethora of tags and posters. I am a little torn sometimes when this kind of commission comes along, because these spots can host some fine pieces of graffiti, but faced with the option of anti-graffiti painted columns or these gorgeous commissioned murals, I’d always opt for the latter.

Zoe Power and David Bain, Stapleton Road, Bristol, March 2021
Zoe Power and David Bain, Stapleton Road, Bristol, March 2021

This column is a joint effort from Zoe Power and David Bain and is a perfect place to showcase their work. Interestingly their other collaboration to have appeared on Natural Adventures is also a railway piece on Redland Station.

Zoe Power and David Bain, Stapleton Road, Bristol, March 2021
Zoe Power and David Bain, Stapleton Road, Bristol, March 2021

The trademark of these two artists is a highly stylised design and bright bold colours. I would label this piece as a true collaboration because they have stitched their work so closely together that it is difficult for me to be one hundred percent certain who painted what. The cheerful and skilfully painted mural is, along with its sisters, is sure to become a well known local landmark.

Zoe Power and Dave Bain, Redland Station, Bristol, November 2019
Zoe Power and Dave Bain, Redland Station, Bristol, November 2019

3530. St Werburghs tunnel (227)

Obviously I am thoroughly enjoying Zoe Power’s enhanced presence on the streets at the moment, with her recent collaboration with Mr Penfold, her work in progress under the railway bridge on Stapleton Road and of course, this lovely collaboration with Rtiiika in the tunnel.

Zoe Power and Rtiiika, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021
Zoe Power and Rtiiika, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021

I had heard that she was keen to do more street work but was nonetheless surprised to stumble on this collaboration so soon. I have seen two or three Rtiiika pieces around Bristol, but this definitely raises her profile. Their styles are complementary and the bright colours work well. Zoe’s characters continue to remind me of Matisse and Rtiiika’s character also has a touch of modernism about it. I love this and want to see a whole lot more from these two.

3509. M32 roundabout J3 (284)

This surely is a collaboration made in heaven. When two artists combine, whose styles somehow mesh together so well, then the outcome is going to be rather special, and this is what happened recently in this fabulous collaboration from Mr Penfold and Zoe Power.

Mr Penfold and Zoe Power, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2021
Mr Penfold and Zoe Power, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2021

I love this, because both artists have contributed to the whole and there are elements of their work evenly distributed throughout the piece. The colours too are a great combination of their individual preferences. I know that I could identify each of the artist’s contribution, but many looking at it would not. Some great ideas and a superb abstract piece. More, please Mr Penfold and Zoe Power!

3383. Martin Street

I can’t think of a better piece to post on Christmas Day than this beautiful mural from  Zoe Power tucked away in Bedminster. Sadly it is yet another prize wall that nearly always has a car parked outside and this is the best view of it I could get.

Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020
Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020

Zoe Power is known for her wonderful and bright colourful work which often has an element of symmetry about it. In this piece two characters are caught in an embrace where they almost fuse and become one, it is wonderful work and although simple on the outside, full of sophistication and class.

Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020
Zoe Power, Martin Street, Bristol, December 2020

Whenever I see her work, I am always reminded of the great Matisse, and that is the biggest complement I can pay. Well worth seeking this out.

2598. Upfest 2018 (169)

Zoe Power has had quite an impact on Natural Adventures recently and this magnificent Upfest 2018 piece reinforces her strong portfolio. I like to call her work mural work as distinct from the broader term street art because although it is street art, it has an element of measure, control and finesse that sets it apart.

Zoe Power, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Zoe Power, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I didn’t actually find this long wall at the festival itself, but a few days later when I was patrolling the area loooking for hidden extras and gems and in this piece I certainly found one. Zoe Power’s bold work is striking and captivating and her solid fills keep her work clean and stylised. I know that one of her influences is the French artist Matisse, and you can really see it in her work.

Zoe Power, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Zoe Power, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This is quite a difficult wall to present in all its glory because of its length, so I have only posted a couple of key panels, but I think you get a sense of the whole thing. The mural, I assume, is entitled ‘Deeds not words’, so at this point I’ll put a sock in it.

2583. Redland Station

There isn’t much street art to speak of in Redland (where I live) so it is extra good to have found this bright and cheery piece under Lover’s Lane bridge at the end of the platform at Redland Station. This is a very nice collaboration between Zoe Power and Dave Bain.

Zoe Power and Dave Bain, Redland Station, Bristol, November 2019
Zoe Power and Dave Bain, Redland Station, Bristol, November 2019

Now Zoe Power I know all about and I love her mural works that are dotted about Bristol. Dave Bain however, I know absolutely nothing about and I haven’t heard of him berfore. Together though they have produced something that is truly collaborative and it is difficult to know where one artist ends and the other begins. If I might say so, this is very representative of the Redland area… safe, clean and decent. My favourite bit is the skateboarder’s hair – a real Zoe Power signature.

 

 

2526. North Street

With a name like Zoe Power, you are never going to be easily forgotten. Marry that up with great talent and you get stunning memorable pieces like this one in North Street. Painted above Zara’s Chocolates in North Street, next door to the Upfest shop and Gemma Compton’s outstanding mural, this piece was created as part of Upfest’s Summer Editions and for me is one of the highlights.

Zoe Power, North Street, Bristol, October 2019
Zoe Power, North Street, Bristol, October 2019

I met Zoe Power at the Cheltenham Paint Festival, and I fear I may have bored her rigid, but she was polite and humoured me and my barrage of questions and natterings. I am an enormous fan of her work and love this Matisse-inspired mural (he is one of my all time favourite artists). There is a lot to like here, the female figures symmetrically placed around the windows of the building holding up symbols of the solar system, set on a plant-patterned background. I love, love, love it. I want to see a lot more of her stuff.