Greek artist Insane51 has painted a giant mural on the side of the Tobacco Factory in Bristol. Located on North Street, it overlooks Aldi and occupies one of the most prominent street art walls in the city. Painted as part of the 2021 Upfest 75 walls event, it replaces a previous popular mural of Greta Thunberg created by Bristol artist Jody.
Insane51 is an artist known for his epic three dimensional street art. Each image revealing layers of detail which can only be really seen through the use of coloured filters. His piece on the side of the Tobacco Factory does just this. It shows a woman staring at a moon which she holds in her hand. When looked at through a red lens it takes out all the detail and only shows her skeleton. When looked at through the blue, it shows a more traditional portrait. Combined the layers form a rich layered image.
NYX holding Serene
The mural is called ‘NYX holding Serene’ and shows characters from Greek mythology. According to Insane51 “Nyx is the Greek goddess of the night. She stood at or near the beginning of creation and mothered other personified deities such as Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death). Her appearances are sparse in surviving mythology, but reveal her as a figure of such exceptional power and beauty that she is feared by Zeus himself. Selene is the goddess of the Moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun god Helios and the dawn goddess Eos. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens”
Insane51 in Bristol
Nyx holding Serene was painted as part of an ambitious project which saw Insane51 create one of 75 murals painted across Bristol in 75 days. The event replaced the years planned Upfest week which would have brought crowds to the Bedminster area. Concerned about the implications of such a gathering in the light of Covid, the longer event was planned. It has resulted in a series of impressive new works appearing in the area. Mainly situated along the strip of North Street, the murals represent a cross section of artists locally and nationally.
Insane51 is the latest of a long line of artists to paint on this prominent wall including Eduardo Kobra, Cheo, Jody and the Nomad Clan. Previously he had also contributed to Upfest in 2018. His mural from that time can still be seen on the Red & White cafe further down on North Street.
NYX holding Serene, the mural in Bristol by Insane51 was created as part of the 75 walls in 75 days project from Upfest. It can be found on the side of the Tobacco Factory on North Street in Bristol. All photographs provided in this post have been supplied courtesy of street art photographer Street Art Atlas.
Insane51 in Bristol Gallery
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