Upfest Presents is a two week celebration of street art and urban culture in the Bedminster area of Bristol. An area synonymous for street art it has been at the heart of the UK’s mural scene for years. As a festival Upfest has long been considered the biggest in Europe.
Upfest Presents
The festival for 2024 has taken a slightly different track. Instead of trying to fit everything in within a weekend, Upfest Presents spreads out activity over a two week period. Given the sheer volume of murals to be created it makes sense from a logistics point of view. It also spreads out the painting over a longer period ensuring that there’s more chance for people to experience new artwork.
Locations
The areas included as part of Upfest Presents once again centered around North Street in Bedminster. Locations along this stretch of road have become known for providing multiple walls for street art. Other areas include Greville Smyth Park, East Street, West Street, the Redpoint Climbing Centre and the Tobacco Factory. All regular painting spots for the festival.
Bristol Murals
Upfest Presents is the latest iteration of a festival which has grown significantly since it’s early days. First starting in 2008 it ran for 10 straight years before a planned break in 2019. The Summer Editions in that year introduced a more leisurely approach to mural painting. A break due to the pandemic in 2020 saw a spread out return in 2021 where 75 Murals in 75 Days were painted across the area. In 2022 Upfest returned with a main central weekend but still spread out the painting of the main walls across May of that year.
Map of Upfest Murals
Murals of Upfest 2022
Ashton Road & Greville Smyth Park
Ashton Road leads towards the Ashton Gate Stadium and has played an important part in Upfest’s history over the years. Next to it, the Greville Smyth Park was the location of the main weekend event from 2022. This year the Bowls Club continues that association with several murals painted onto its walls.
Megan Oldhues – 30 Ashton Road – instagram
‘Once Mine, Now Yours’ is a melancholic work from Megan Oldhues. Painted in acrylic and spray paint it is a still life painted onto the front of a house. A reflection on having helped her grandparents get rid of all the things they’ve accumulated over their lives. “It’s given me a different perspective on a still life” she says on her insta. “These are some of their things, which I guess are now my things, until one day they’ll be someone else’s things”.
Kid Crayon – Bowls Club, Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Road – instagram
A homage to Jack Black and Montana paints at the same time. Black had recently been seen in Brighton so Kid Crayon thought it would be good to have him visit Bristol too.
Hardie Street Art – Bowls Club, Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Road – instagram
Ejits – Bowls Club, Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Road – instagram
A cheeky unicorn farting a rainbow is perhaps just what you might expect from Ejits playing and colourful style. It just seemed like the right thing to do on this wall she said on her insta.
Acerone x Andy Council x Paul Monsters – Bowls Club, Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Road – instagram
A collaboration between Andy Council and Acerone. Council is known for his fantastical creatures incorporating architectural themes. Acerone for his backgrounds and lettering.
Cock Dicks – Bowls Club, Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Road – instagram
A homage to Bristol’s famous hot air balloon festival. Cock Dicks has created a diverse set of balloons about to fly over the city.
Sled One – Bowls Club, Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Road – instagram
‘Lovely Day for a Ride’ is the piece from Sled One. It features a trendy goat like creature riding a bike and breathing in the scent of daffodils.
Bedminster Down Road
A new location for Upfest Presents 2024. Bedminster Down Road is just south of the Redpoint Climbing Centre which, more often than not, has found itself to be the most ‘out on a limb’ part of Upfest. Not anymore though.
Tris – 84 Bedminster Down Road – instagram
‘A La Folie’ is a mural from Tris on Bedminster Down Road. According to his insta, Upfest had told him to do something you’ve always wanted to do. As a result says Tris “I wanted to paint a big portrait… that’s now done”.
Shane O’Malley – 86-88 Bedminster Down Road – instagram
A mural from Irish abstract painter Shane O’Malley. The design was based on one of his paintings from last year which he wanted to expand on.
Roo & Sky High – 106 Bedminster Down Road – instagram Roo & instagram Sky High
A typically bright and fun collaboration between Roo and Sky High. Roo is known for her cartoon animals and Sky High for his lettering. The two have blended their work together so that the animals are interspersed and playing amongst the letters. Featuring a range of cats the building is actually a cattery.
British Road
A road leading from East Street to Chessel Street. It runs parallel to the main artery of West Street. Two new pieces have been created on British Road for Upfest 2024.
Polina Soloveichik – 2 British Road – instagram
Berlin based muralist Polina Soloveichik has updated this spot on British Road with a blue toned portrait of a woman. Explaining her process on her website she notes that every piece is an exchange between her vision and the factors that define a space. Things such as the size, audience, place and materials available all impacting on the final work.
Mind49 – 133 British Road – instagram
A painterly image of a man and a heron set against the gable end of a house on British Road. For the Bristolian artist painting at Upfest he says felt like a “big moment” having first visited when he was just 14.
Coronation Road
Running along the River Avon, Coronation Road spreads across the northern end of the ‘Upfest’ district of Bedminster. One mural has been placed here for 2024 by Jagung on the corner with Cliff House Road.
Jagung – Coronation Road – instagram
A man peers out from the centre of the wall whilst all around him flame and energy seem to burst. Malaysian artist Jagung’s ‘Martial Gracewall’ is a celebration of the dedication and spirit of a man from Sibu. Someone who has mastered the ancient martial art of Wushu and who himself has risen to become a respected Sifu. A position that reflects their skill level and someone who can be seen as a teacher or master at the art. The piece reflects the journey he has been on. One that emodies the the teachings and discipines of Wushu. Whilst also demonstrating its grace, strength and philosopy. You can read more about the inspiration of the wall here.
Dean Lane
The Tap & Barrell on Dean Lane has long been a supporter of Upfest and has had many murals on its walls over the years. The pub sits on Dean Lane just before the main hub of activity on North Street.
RBF Crew – Tap & Barrell, Dean Lane – instagram
The all female RBF (Resting B Face) crew on the side of the Tap & Barrell. It features two girls with spray cans painting throw ups.
Duckmoor Road
Uncle – 30 Duckmoor Road – instagram
A piece featuring two Chinese letters written in graffiti wild style. They say ”鄉“ (homeland) and ”港“ (Kong). Translated into ”Home Kong,“ it signifies ”My Home is Hong Kong.“ Uncle describes how life in Hong Kong has been distressing since 2019. How it has impacted on the collective psyche as many choose to either leave or stay silent. Deciding to explore the world by applying to various international events. The first to select him was Upfest. Quite possibly the biggest of all and with Bristol such a popular relocation spot of Hong Kong nationals.
As such the piece created for Upfest Presents 2024 is what Uncle describes as a gift to Hongkongers living abroad. Something that emodies unity and resilience. It’s also the perfect juxtaposition that these graffiti style Chinese letters should be painted onto a traditional British home.
East Street
A popular shopping area, East Street is always a key location for Upfest. As in previous years several shops make their walls available. East Street is also the perfect place to start an exploration of the area. From here you can access the main hub of North Street. You can also head along West Street and explore the growing number of murals there.
Elaine Carr – City & Country, East Street – instagram
In the courtyard of the Alpha Bottle Shop. Carr has created an abstract hoarding using a geometric pattern.
Stepa Aifo – Silver & Steel, East Street – instagram
Tel Aviv based artist Stepa Aifo covering the front of Silver & Steel with an abstract patterned work.
Zubieta – PDSA Charity Shop, East Street- instagram
Space guinea pigs and flying rodents for the people of East Street because why not? Zubieta is an artist known for her bright candy coloured paintings.
Ricky Also – Jan’s Barbers, East Street – instagram
Painted across the popular wall of Jan’s Barber’s. Ricky Also’s wall says ‘Better Things‘. Inspired he says by “local legends Massive Attack”. Named after the song of the same title by the band. The full detail of the text piece says ‘Better Things will surely come our way’. Painting at the time of a general election he said the message felt appropriate.
A L Grime – Hunters Estate Agents, East Street – instagram
An artist known for her blending together of monochromatic art styles. For her work at Upfest Presents 2024 she has added some striking bits of colour. From Denver in the states, Ally also acts as the director of the Denver Walls festival over there.
ILLDES – James B Hair, East Street – instagram
A Windows 95 inspired abstract work from Denver artist ILLDES. Using only a ruler and some string to get the perspective lines right. “I typically use a projector to sketch for speed” he said of the creation process. “But I enjoyed going back to the basics of how I first started painting murals”..
Ivan Tortajada – Kas’s Barbers Shop, East Street – instagram
From Valencia in Spain, Ivan Tortajada is known for his dreamlike use of colour and abstract figurative painting. His work for Upfest Presents 2024 was inspired initially by the 3D caterpillar that is attached to this particular wall. “I always like to introduce LGBT 
symbols in my artworks” says Ivan. Adding that his first idea was to make a rainbow caterpillar. “Afterwards I started designing the flame woman face all with warm colors that show my roots from Valencia and the Fallas Festival”. The colours he adds give warmth to the caterpillar. A warmth that gives it protection from the coldness outside. A cold represented by the other figure which is painted in colder hues of blue.
Sep C – Kas’s Barbers Shop, East Street – instagram
‘Si Nacimos para Semilla” is the mural from Colombian artist Sepc. It translates to “If we were born to seed” and is based on an original text from Alonso Salazar from 1990. A text that goes on to say “There are only the secret eyes looking through the cracks to see where we are going”.
DFTE – Dean Street Billboard, off East Street- instagram
‘If You Change You Will Be Different’ is the letter piece created by DFTE on billboard. The artist is known for his painting of phrases using black and white with the letters seeming to drip down onto the floor.
Frayne Road
Oli T – Frayne Road Fence – instagram
A colourful letter piece from Oli T which says ‘Home Sweet Home’. The piece on Frayne Road is just at the edge of the Upfest painting area for their 2024 suite of murals.
Luckwell Road
A road that links the Redpoint Climbing Centre to the Upfest Gallery. Luckwell Road runs between both locations.
Mau Mau – 41-43 Luckwell Road – instagram
A typically fun piece from Mau Mau. He is known for his fox character. He has painted the word ‘MAU’. The ‘A’ is shaped as though the fox was standing there while it was painted onto the wall. The resultant outline of the fox acting as the central part of the character.
Merney – The Luckwell – instagram
‘End of the Day, I’m a Spider Mat. End Of’ on the side of the Luckwell pub. Merney’s art will often combine a dark humour with social commentary and political activism. This piece though appears to be just a spider… end of.
INSA- Monarch House, Luckwell Road – instagram
A series of white vans in different stages for revolution running along the length of a long wall. The piece from INSA is designed to be seen as part of an animation. Called the 4am Doom Spiral it is what INSA calls a ‘GIF-ITI’. Something that can be seen through a special app.
North Street East
We’ve split North Street into two sections. The East section runs from East Street to the Upfest Gallery. There is so much to see on this road. Key locations on this stretch include the North Street Standard. Other notable spots are Sweven Coffee, KASK wine, The Old Bookshop, Petrie Glazing, and the Spotted Cow pub.
Hannah Adamaszek – Swewn Coffee, North Street – instagram
Returning after a period of six years away. Hannah Adamaszek has created a beautifully serene piece on the side of Swewn Coffee.
Maybe – Merrywood Road, (off North Street) – instagram – instagram
An artist known for her cheeky doodles around Bristol. Their piece for Upfest Presents shows a sleepy quarter moon eating a banana. The rest of space and the earth calmly float in the background.
Jacqui Butterworth – North Street Standard, North Street – instagram
‘The Lesson’ is a piece which shows a cygnet swan on the keys of a grand piano. Two other swans, one white and one black sit on different parts of the piano’s structure. For Butterworth it’s a work that is important to be able to attach your own meaning to. However for her, when creating the work it became a piece that is partly about defiance. It is also about humour and hope in the midst of a raging storm.
The composition of the swans seemed to work in the piece. Jacqui talks of how she like the contrast. A white swan standing against a stormy background. The black seeming to emerge from the piano. Spend more time with the mural and the more you will see. It’s also a work that is reflective of personal change. A move from Australia to the UK. The Black Swan is the symbol of Western Australia. They are much more common in that country whereas white swans are often seen in the UK.
“On a symbolic level, there is also the contrast of the swans with the piano itself” says Jacqui. “They are by no means what one might call songbirds. Yet this family of swans are here regardless. Finding their own means to make music”. Loving the aspect represented by the piano. She cites the ability of music to impart emotion and memory across time and cultures. “With music, people, stories and history come alive for us. There is truth in it and suddenly it becomes so much easier to empathise”.
Wordsmith – North Street Billboard, North Street – instagram
‘Aspire to Inspire others and the Universe will take note’ is the work from Wordsmith. An artist who spends his time between LA and London and now via Bristol. His art uses words and phrases written as if typed on an old fashioned typewriter.
Jody – George Carr, North Street – instagram
A reference to the growth of AI. Jody describes it as a “collaboration between AI and the analogue”. Saying that he’s always embraced to his own advantage but that the human will never be replaced. It’s a mural that also gives a nod to festival artist Mister Samo and his own transition story. In honour to that he says that “I tried to keep my character as genderless as possible”.
Abraham O – George Carr, North Street – instagram
‘The Uncertainty of the Sunflower’ is a photo realistic piece from Abraham O. It shows a woman plucking a petal from a sunflower head. It’s a piece that uses the opening and closing of the sunflower as a metaphor for love and longing.
Hazard – Level Cuts, North Street – instagram
Hazard is a Bristol based Yorkshire artist whose multi-coloured artworks have become hugely popular across her adopted city. Playing with form and colour it is a path she’s been on for some time now. Incorporating portraiture into her work the result is a striking blend of colour and realism.
Jack Lack – Beaver Electrical, North Street – instagram
A red panda sleeps in a nest with arrows. A pointy nest as the artist calls it. “Sometimes things are easier to comprehend if they are fluffy”. This is a work that highlights the dangers to wildlife and in particular to the loss of safe homes and habitats. Something that should be a right to all creatures.
Sophie Long – Ebenezer Gate – instagram
Pink Bees buzzing around the little pocket park of Ebenezer Gate from Sophie Long. A local Bristol artist, Sophie’s work centres on the natural world and in particular the conservation of it.
Angie Jerez – KASK, North Street – instagram
From Colombia, Angie Jerez now lives in Atlanta in Georgia. Painting for the first time in Bristol her mural above KASK has a soft illustrative feel to it. Writing on her instagram about the piece she gives a poetic description of it. “The same sky is over all of us. Is this heaven in a world where the sky has lights. But for some those are not stars but explosions instead. As humans we evolved cause we take care of each other but in these times we all are going backwards”.
KMG & MUL – The Old Book Store, North Street – KMG & MUL
A collaboration between KMG and MUL on the side of the Old Book Shop wall. Inspired by the story of a crocodile that was supposedly spotted the previous year in the River Avon. According to KMG the pair felt like a couple of crocodiles painting the piece due to a big downpour whilst painting.
Mau Mau – People Solutions, North Street – instagram
A cheeky little fox sitting on speakers outside the People Solutions wall. The piece is a bit of a bonus wall from Mau Mau after painting a larger wall on Luckwell Road. Holding a spray can and smoking a cigarette it says ‘The only good system is a sound system’.
Mels – 74 North Street – instagram
Faye Rai – 131 North Street – instagram
A proud heron stalking amongst long grass and an iris flower. Faye Rai is an artist known for her delicate portrayals of birds and the natural world. Her inspirations she says are around how patterns, colours and textures are often found side by side in nature. “My aim was to brighten up the neighbourhood and make the locals appreciate the beauty in our world”.
Anna Higgie – 131 North Street – Instagram
A floral scene against a background of brilliant yellow from Bristol local Anna Higgie. Speaking on her instagram she reflects on how good painting on a large scale and outside was for her creativity. “But it’s also been good for my soul” she says. The fact that painting outside in such an event helps to connect with people so much more.
Goin – Spotted Cow, North Street – instagram
A piece entitled ‘Stop Bulllying’. It shows a young girl head down and with a school rucksack on her back. A bright red boxing glove is on her hand. Given the image it’s uncertain as to whether the girl is the bully or the bullied.
Rob Wass – Spotted Cow Garden, North Street – instagram
A beautiful flamingo spreading it’s wings which emerge into branches of pink and colour. It can be seen inside the courtyard of the Spotted Cow.
Billy Colours – Southville Primary, Mytle Street, off North Street – instagram
Peace Puffins is a series of abstract puffins painted against a just outside of Southville Primary school. It’s fun and colourful like much of Billy’s style. As an artist she often collaborates with children and runs workshops to engage them with art.
Georgia Laurie – Upper Sydney Street, off North Street – instagram
‘Cohabit’ is a work from Australian artist Georgia Laurie. It explores the link between the natural and built environment. Saying that “throughout history mankind has had a spatial and spiritual relationship with the natural world, but in recent times this relationship has been dramatically severed”.
Starting by researching the nature, architecture and the history of the place she is in. The image is then disassembled into a digital collage giving the initial idea for the painting. In this work, a fox stands traversing the chaos which is suggested by a barren landscape. In the UK the fox can be found within both natural and urban environments.
Tozer – North Street Gardens, North Street – instagram
Signwriting style from Bristol based artist Tozer whose letter works have become well recognised in the area.
North Street West
The western side of North Street runs from the Upfest Gallery to the Tobacco Factory. Key locations here are the Malago and Hen & Chicken pubs.
Ments – Hen & Chicken, Greville Road (off North Street) – instagram
Swirling colours running along the wall from Harley Ments for Upfest Presents 2024.
Emily Joy Rich – Hen & Chicken, Greville Road (off North Street) – instagram
Bristol artist Emily Joy Rich is known for her typefaces and letter style. Her ‘Shine Bright’ message in the garden of the Hen & Chicken pub being a positive reminder for people visiting.
Kid Acne – Hen & Chicken, Greville Road (off North Street) – instagram
Awaiting picture….
Rainbo – Hen & Chicken, Greville Road (off North Street) – instagram
A Chinese dragon on the wall of the Hen & Chicken. A famous spot populated with many great murals over the years. Rainbo is an artist from Hong Kong and this is the second time painting in the UK. As 2024 is the year of the Dragon in China it seemed appropriate that this would be what would be painted. “I was unsure how to make it my own style” says Rainbo. “But decided to just paint the imaginary creature as I envisioned it. The result is a small, graceful dragon floating among blue skies and clouds. I used more red and orange colours than usual, which I feel makes it look youthful and vibrant, just like the city”.
Angry Dan – Hen & Chicken, Greville Road (off North Street) – instagram
A London based artist known for his fun limericks and bright childlike style. His work just by the Hen & Chicken features the story of the Octopus.
Jess Knights – The Malago, Greville Road (off North Street) – instagram
A homage to Bristol and it’s nature and the first time that illustrator Jess Knights had painted at Upfest. Experimenting with both stencils and spray paint for the first time.
Fyonafinn – Opposite the Malago, North Street – instagram
A positive message on the wall opposite the Malago saying ‘Take Care of Each Other’. Fyona Finn is a Bristol based artist and the wall for Upfest Presents 2024 was her largest to date.
Emotional Waterfall – Tincan Coffee, North Street – instagram
An abstract colourful piece on the gate of Tincan Coffee. Speaking on instagram, Emotional Waterfall reflected on how the experience of painting out on the street over the festival helped. She describes it as the “unified gift of re-connection”. Enjoying the conversations that people bring and the energies as part of painting in such a public environment. Describing the experience as a total Joy and affirmation of the importance of arts and creative practices.
Inkie – Parsons Bakery – instagram
Bristol legend Inkie is a well known artist to the city and to Upfest. His ‘Use Your Loaf’ letter piece has been painted onto the side of Parsons Bakery on North Street.
Katie Scott – 80 Lime Road, (off North Street) – instagram
A hand holds up a childs toy against a bright yellow background. With flame red hair, it is a troll popular with kids growing up and a sight in many toy box. Katie Scott is an artist who has been depicted these childhood toys for the past few years. Mainly drawing on her experiences with Barbies, the troll is a new addition to this series of works.
Liam Bononi – 83 Lime Road, (off North Street) – instagram
A spectacular portrait of a street violinist Rupert Engledow who Liam saw performing in the streets of York. Taking some spontaneous shots of him at the time he describes how the performance had stayed with him. “I decided I needed to bring it to life with this mural. It was a long winter and it always amazes me how art can help us deal and develop our emotions for a period of time”.
Cheba – McColls, North Street – instagram
A smaller piece from Bristol legend Cheba. This work reverts back to series of murals and paintings where he uses spray paint techniques to create a night sky. It was an additional piece to his main work on West Street where he created a piece collaborating with Stutti.
Tymon De Laat – Royston Garden News, North Street – instagram
A man looks out against a backdrop of what appear to be flowers from his native land. A portrait of a man taking originally in Santiago Matatlan in Mexico. A place Tymon describes as the Mezcal capital of the world. All of Tymon De Laat’s work feature portraits of people. He himself has met and photographed them on his travels around the world. Painting them in different places he is connecting others with their stories. A means of communicating over long distances through the power of street art.
Exploring the area, Tymon had been exploring the production of Mezcal. A labour intensive process, most is still made by hand. Smokey flavoured, it first needs to have the agave picked. Then it is roasted on a fire pit, sometimes up to a month. It is then sliced with a machete and distilled. “It’s not an easy task and demands precision and dedication” says Tymon. “The people I met there told a while story with just their face, I could see the life they lived from their expression”.
Ant Carver – Natwest, North Street – instagram
A very different style from Ant Carver on the top of the Natwest bank. The artist has been playing with ideas around how we consume news and media. Exploring this whilst also looking at new themes and styles within his own work
Audkawa – Soul Kitchen, North Street – instagram
Painted onto the side of the Soul Kitchen just opposite the Tobacco Factory. ‘Untamed’ is a mural from Audrey Kawasaki aka Audkawa. Her first in the UK after moving to Norfolk from the USA. She describes the work as “celebrating the beautiful duality of womanhood. That graceful dance of softness and strength, vulnerability and resilience. It’s about boldly embracing our untamed truth and standing firm in our power. Even amidst life’s chaos”.
Mister Samo – Bristol Beer Factory, North Street – instagram
Mister Samo’s ‘You Are Loved’ mural is a message to the trans community. A trans artist himself, it’s a message he paints often and regularly. Showing to the world that no matter who you are or what body you are in, you are indeed loved.
Paul Monsters – Bristol Beer Factory, North Street – instagram
A collaboration between Paul Monsters, Upfest and the Bristol Beer Factory. It’s a location well known to the festival having often supported with it’s walls. The piece features a beer set against an array of Paul’s famous tessellated colours.
Palmerston Street
Acerone & Andy Council – Acta Theatre
A collaboration piece on the side of the Acta Theatre. Andy Council known for his architecturally inspired animals and birds and Acerone known for his lettering and signwriting. It says ‘Make Haste Slowly’ and features a hare and a tortoise racing along the wall.
Paultow Road
Aspire – 27 Paultow Road – instagram
A peacock pecks against a small bush growing out of a small little garden. Riding on its back a Kingfisher, Blue Tit and Great Tit. Some of the image is slightly pixelated and this is a signature element of Aspires work. It references the ‘glitch’ in the system when it comes to nature and the loss of habitats for wildlife to thrive.
Parson Street
Lionel David – Parson Street – instagram
A portrait of ‘Anna’ who is looking thoughtfully at the poppy in her hand. The piece is part painted on the wall of the house and also in part on the boundary wall. Seen from across the road it appears to blend into one. David explains that “the poppy‘s subtle presence symbolizes a quiet resilience and the gentle wonders of nature”. Adding that “it reflects a moment of introspection and the strength that can blossom from within. reminding us of the power in gentle, quiet growth”.
Raleigh Road
3rd Eye – Raleigh Road – Instagram
A group of colourful characters hang out amidst a graphic and cartoony landscape. Painted by Lee Kirby an artist from Somerset but now based in Bristol.
South Street
Nada – South Street – instagram
Ocean Eyes is the mural from Danish artist Frida Stiil Vium also known as Nada. It shows a resting tiger painted in hues of blue and pink.
The Nursery
Sepr – 41 The Nursery – instagram
A group of animals in a hot air balloon all painted with shades of green. It is both a fun homage to the Bristol balloon festival whilst also being a commentary on freedom of movement. One patch on the balloon saying ‘no borders’.
Dave Bain – 22 The Nursery – instagram
Bristol based illustrator Dave Bain has created a ‘Sci-fi explorer’ on this house front on The Nursery. The explorer is wandering through a strange colourful world filled with unknown plants and creatures.
Tobacco Factory
Although officially located on North Street we’ve given the Tobacco Factory a section of it’s own. Around the back multiple artists over the years have created works in the enclosed car park. Upfest Presents 2024 is no different with canvases
David McMillan – instagram
Gglloo – instagram
Lemak – instagram
Alaa Satir – instagram
Perspicere – instagram
Beth Quinton – instagram
Michael MacQueen – instagram
St John Lane
Squirl – 318 St John Lane – instagram
Another mural painted as part of Squirls ‘Forest Friends’ series. His abstract country scene painted in bright colours and showing mountains, trees and clouds have become familiar at Upfest. Previous murals in the same style having been painted on the side of the Pony in 2022 and on a house on The Nursery in 2021.
Stackpool Road
Bex Glover – Stackpool Road – instagram
A crane and a fox drink from a pool on Stackpool Road. Called ‘Putting Differences Aside’ it was inspired by Aesop’s Fable ‘The Fox and the Crane”. Explaining the piece, Bex says “The story is about a fox who makes fun of a crane by inviting him to dinner and serving him soup in a dish that he cannot drink from. The crane takes revenge by returning the invite and serves the fox some soup in a narrow jug that the fox cannot drink from either. The moral: to treat others as you would wish to be treated”
West Street
Enclosing the Upfest area to the south is West Street which is also known as the A38. It runs from East Street to just before Parson Green Station.
Luke Smile – 3 West Side Street – instagram
‘Life in Full Colour’ is a letter piece from Luke Smile an artist known for his typographic works.
EPOD – Pantiles, Westbourne Grove/West Street – instagram
A poster of a woman seemingly inspired by portraits of the renaissance is slowly peeling away from the top of the wall. Underneath revealing a turntable referencing EPOD’s love for music which is such a strong theme in all his work.
Artez – 15 West Street – instagram
A woman with her face to the floor and he legs crooked in the air. It’s as if she is in the midst of a dance. Possibly Capoeira or a more modern form of breakdance. The work is a painterly piece created on the side of house on West Street called ‘Simple Acrobatics’. Explaining the mural, Artez explained that he wanted to break away from a more traditional portrait style. “As murals become more common in urban environments. Often depicting the human figure in similar styles. I wanted to break away from the conventional approach and offer a fresh perspective of painting in public space”.
Karl Read- Bowdens Locksmiths, West Street – instagram
‘Building Peace’ is the latest work from Karl Read. It features two children building a peace sign out of lego. It’s a work that ‘symbolises out collective journey towards unity and understanding. Turning brushstrokes into the building blocks of living in peace’.
Rob Lee – 141 West Stret – instagram
‘Vibrancy’ is the name of this mural from Rob Lee. A graphic artist the work is easily the largest wall he has ever undertaken. Getting lots of approving comments from local residents who commented on it’s ‘vibrancy’ which also gave the piece it’s name.
Alain Welter – 239 West Street – instagram
Luxembourg’s Alain Welter’s unique vision shows a pigeon exploring the area. In particular this pigeon is interested in trains hence he’s known as the ‘Trainspotter’. Alain has an abstract view of the world but his view is informed by the world around him. In particular his wall in Bristol is near a train station and there are lots of pigeons. What if therefore the two were combined and the pigeons were only here to watch the trains?
Winterstoke Road
The Redpoint Climbing Centre on Winterstoke Road attracts some of the biggest murals as part of any event. It’s walls some of the largest in the area.
Fesa – Redpoint Climbing Centre, Winterstoke Road – instagram
The first of two murals from Fesa at part of ‘Upfest Presents’. The piece is called ‘Dog years’ and shows a Dalmatian sitting against an abstracted country background.
Sr Papa Chango – Redpoint Climbing Centre, Winterstoke Road – instagram
A Mexican artist based in Berlin. Papa Chango creates worlds featuring his little furry characters. They area mix between fantasy and everyday life. Giving the characters life through the paintings he produces. Explaining his ideas on his website he says. “t’s very important for me help make people aware of the current global issues. That is why, my innocent murals inform clearly and simply with the intention to touch the heart and mind”.
WOM Collective – Redpoint Climbing Centre, Winterstoke Road – instagram
A massive production from seven artists all part of the WOM Collective crew. A 45m long mural runs along the top of the Redpoint Centre. It is based on the traditional ‘Seven female archetypes’. Used in mythology and storytelling for thousands of years. The archetypes are powerful symbols which represent the many sides of the female psyche.
Artists contributed different elements were Mishfit (The Huntress); Tash Creates (The Mystic); Caryn Koh (The Lover); Lours (The Maiden); Shauna Blanchfield (The Sage); Elno (The Mother); Vane MG (The Queen).
York Road
Piko 626 – York Road – instagram
A re-imagining of a forgotten facade. Piko has taken influence from the architecture around. He has incorporated this into the design, which breathes life into this old gable end.
Upfest Presents took place between 17th May and 2nd June 2024 with most works completed over that period of time. With a big thanks to Hannah Judah for all her support in the creation of this post.
For other Upfest inspired articles you might like, take a look at….
- 75 Walls painted in 75 Days
- Insane51 paints Giant Mural on Tobacco Factory
- Six Sisters Mural on North Street in Bristol
- Murals of the 2019 Summer Editions
- My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton create Giant mural on Windmill Hill
- Upfest 2018 the Best of the Street Art Boards
- The Artists of Upfest Europe’s Leading Street Art Festival
- Top 25 Murals from the 2018 Upfest Festival
- Caro Pepe the Argentine Artist Painting at Upfest
- The Best Street Art from Upfest 2017 in Bristol
- Where to Find Street Art in Bristol
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