From Banksy to Inkie, Bristol has a street art scene unlike anywhere else in the country. Walking through the city, there are works of art everywhere – often political, sometimes satirical, and generally amazing to look at. Here is a list of the very best examples of street art in the city, all of which are a must-see for anyone visiting or living in Bristol.
This is Culture Calling's guide to the best:
Conor Harrington’s ‘The Duel of Bristol’
This work of art is definitely not something to be missed - not least because it takes up the entire side of a building. Harrington’s painting, situated just off Broad Street, depicts two men fighting a duel. This piece served as Harrington’s entry for the See No Evil festival in Bristol (Britain’s largest street art project), but continues to be thought-provoking for those who visit it, raising questions about the levels of peace and tolerance in Bristol.
Banksy’s ‘Well Hung Lover’
Head to Frogmore Street, which overlooks the ever-busy Park Street, to see this famous artwork by Banksy - one of the best-known pieces of street art in the city, and rightly so. You can clearly see the skill it took to create this meticulously detailed piece.
Art by Bristol’s born-and-bred Banksy can be seen all over the city, with his other works such as ‘The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’ and ‘Cat and Dog’ attracting fans every year.
Nelson Street
The art on Nelson Street alone goes to the very heart of Bristol’s cultural character. Works such as El Mac’s ‘Clothed with the Sun’ and Nick Walker’s ‘Vandal’ (which depicts a man in a bowler hat pouring paint onto the street below) continue to captivate students and citizens every day. Much like Conor Harrington, El Mac’s work was also conceived as an entry for the See No Evil festival, however, in the latter’s work we can see a deliberate return to Renaissance painting. Indeed, this is contrasted by Walker’s more sinister painting of a suited man pouring red paint over the cement of Bristol; a whopping twenty metres in length, it’s an artwork that cannot - and should not - be missed.
Inkie’s piece on Thekla Boat
Those who have been to a club night Bristol’s iconic Thekla may not have noticed that the boat has a piece of art by Bristol’s very own artist, Inkie, painted onto the hull. The piece is very modernist in style, and despite its concealed location Inkie's trademark use of bright colours makes it possible to spot in both day and night.
Inkie’s artwork replaced Banksy’s ‘Grim Reaper’ to protect the painting from further erosion, but it is still possible for any fans to see this work on display in Bristol’s M-Shed museum.
Stinkfish’s ‘Image Morgane Bigault’
For people visiting Stokes Croft, this work of art by Colombian street artist Stinkfish is impossible to miss. The piece takes up the entirety of a wall and follows Stinkfish’s usual style - a stencil of a person which is then embellished with various patterns or small, intricate details.
Beyond this, there are far more pieces to be found in Stokes Croft. This part of Bristol is teeming with a variety of artworks, including Banksy’s ‘Mild, Mild West’ which can be found next to The Canteen. The colourful graffiti here arrests any visitor’s eyes and transforms the street into something to behold; a definite must-do for any street art fans.
So there it is, your very own digital guide to the best of Bristol’s street art. From pieces taking up entire walls to much smaller - but equally captivating - artworks, Bristol’s street art scene has something for everyone. While Banksy continues to dominate the city’s street art, it is clear that there are many other talented artists working in Bristol, all of whom help shape the cultural identity of the city, creating an urban space that is dynamic, expressive, and of course – unique.
If you are interested in taking a tour of Bristol’s street art visit this website.