No Banksy? Sacrilegious, I know. Being the hometown of the world’s most famous street artist, how can you talk about Bristol’s graffiti scene without mentioning the man himself? Well, that’s often the problem. Banksy can dominate the conversation, leaving some equally amazing work out of the discussion. Which is ridiculous as there is so much on offer.
Areas such as Nelson Street, Stokes Croft, and Easton are home to hundreds of colourful artworks and murals. While Bedminster hosts Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival, Upfest, each year. The fact is in Bristol, you don’t have to go very far to see something magical. All we’ve done is round up some of our favourites from around the city.
1. Nelson Street
Just some context: See No Evil was a week-long street art festival in Bristol (the largest in Europe at the time) in 2011 and 2012. Many murals of colossal size were painted on empty walls and tower blocks around Nelson Street – many of which remain today. Here are just a few of our favourites in the area:
a. El Mac
This huge mural depicts El Mac‘s girlfriend holding a baby. It was painted as part of the See No Evil festival held in 2011 that saw many of Bristol’s most famous artworks pop on Nelson Street. Turning the unassuming street into an amazing graffiti gallery.
b. Aryz
Rumour has it that it took the Barcelona-based artist Aryz only one day to complete this artwork. A stunning feat. It’s another leftover from See No Evil and a gorgeous entry to this list.
c. Conor Harrington
This stunning fuse of contemporary and classical styles on Broad Street is like nothing else on Bristol’s street art circuit. The Irish artist Conor Harrington has a style all of his own. And has created something that would feel just as at home in a gallery as it is on the street.
d. Nick Walker
The Vandal is Bristol-born artist Nick Walker’s most iconic character. The banker figure has popped up all around the world, from Norway to New York City. But it feels most comfortable on the streets of Bristol
e. Stik
Simple but effective. Stik is known for his giant, almost amateurish, stick figure pieces. This towering artwork is one that has to be seen in the flesh to truly appreciate its magnitude.
f. Tats Cru
He might be from the Bronx, but Tats Cru created the perfect mural for Bristol in 2011.
2. North Street
Home to Upfest – currently Europe’s biggest graffiti festival – the street art on North Street and the houses of the wider Bedminster/Southville are regularly changing. In the past, some of our favourites have included the Six Sisters mural and Jody Thomas’ climate change piece on the side of the Bedminster community hub, Tobacco Factory. Our tip, just walk around the area and you won’t fail to spot something incredible.
a. Irony & Boe
We did want to pay special mention to this fella on Back Road, however. Apart from street art, is there anything more ubiquitous in Bristol than seagulls? London-based street artists Irony & Boe understand this and perfectly capture the city’s most consistent terrorisers in this leering portrait.
3. Leonard Lane
Despite what is written on the wall, Leonard Lane[/trackLink] is not ‘231 miles exactly’. It’s actually quite short and is Bristol’s narrowest street, but it’s brimming with an ever-changing array of street art (one of [trackLink link_url="https://secretbristol.com/art-galleries-bristol/"]Bristol’s best galleries, Centrespace, is also local).
Since the Bristol Mural Collective started using it, every inch is now covered in graffiti – with works by John d’Oh, 3F Fino, Billy Colours and many more. It’s wall-to-wall incredible street art, but we suggest taking a closer look at the ground – where you will find tiny little artworks covering the gum-riddled floor.
4. Stokes Croft
Home to one of the most fiercely independent communities in Bristol (which says a lot), Stokes Croft is, of course, full of colourful street art. Its best-known piece is Banksy’s The Mild Mild West – a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at riot police – but the mysterious artist alone in creating great murals here.
a. Cheba
Taking inspiration from Hubble Telescope photographs, Cheba‘s space inspired work can be spotted all around Bristol. The Full Moon Pub in Stokes Croft catches the eye especially, however, with its abstract galaxy taking over the whole building’s exterior. We reguraly fear we might fall into outer space if we step too close.
b. Phlegm x MM13
Not a true collaboration. More of a symbol of street art evolution. The affectionately nicknamed ‘Tsunami’ originally featured an artwork from Phlegm before the crew MM13 covered this Stokes Croft house with a big, red wave. Phlegm returned shortly to Hillgrove Street to add his twist. Giving us this unique blend of styles.
c. Stinkfish
This image has been a friendly face to all arrivals in Stokes Croft for many years now. Stinkfish, the Colombian artist behind it, uses a lot of found photos in his work that adds real human emotion. He then paints over them in his brightly coloured style. First painted back in 2012, it has recently received a much-needed touch-up.
5. Junction 2 of the M32
Beyond Banksy, Inkie is probably Bristol’s biggest graffiti artist – and he’s actually still repping the city! You’ll find his unique style all over the city from Southville to Easton. It’s this loving mural of another Bristol legend we had to bring up. Anyone passing Junction 2 of the M32 will know it well. The iconic reggae DJ and Bristolian, DJ Derek, sadly passed away in 2015. Gone but not forgotten.
6. Park Street
You’ll find crowds of tourists stopping to stare at Banksy’s Well Hung Lover on Park Street, but true street art fans will also want to check out some other incredible artwork in the area.
a. JPS
A little ways down from Well Hung Lover, you’ll find this unassuming black and white stencil of two children on Frogmore Street. It’s by Weston-Super-Mare artist JPS, who takes a lot of inspiration from the Bristol legend, but has really made a name for himself with his simple, yet effective stencils.
b. Jody
Jody is another Bristol icon. Commissioned by The Florist bar and restaurant in 20218, this mural has outlived its namesake and remains a spot of colour on Park Street.
c. Alex Lucas
Split off Park Street and head to Park Row for a whale of a time. Opposite The Cloakroom – which used to be an Edwardian toilet but is now a lovely coffee shop – is Alex Lucas’
Uncertain World. The collaboration with the University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute draws on our Jurassic past to imagine Bristol’s possible future.
8. Castle Park
You’ll find this huge mural on the former Bank Of England building on Castle Park – sending a clear message of Bristol’s zero-tolerance stance on harassment of women. HazardOne and Oli T’s I’m Every Woman takes up three huge walls and reveals that 97% of women have experienced sexual harassment when lit by new UV lights at night.
9. Windmill Hill
A jaw-dropping piece from My Dog Sighs and Curtis Hylton outside The Rising Sun pub on Windmill Hill. Inside the person’s eyes, you can spot the old windmill that used to reside on this very hill. Gorgeous.