You may remember last year I put up a little article on Bristol's ever-expanding graffiti scene, and one of the artists mentioned was Vermin. Now I am a big fan of Bristol's art scene in general, but there is something about Vermin's work that has always struck a particular chord with me, so when the chance for an interview materialised, well, it would be rude not to, I thought. Here is what went down:
This awesome piece that has recently appeared on Stokes Croft in Bristol - from Vermin, Kid Zoo & Remo - highlights one of the things I am going to miss most about my hometown. Virtually all areas of the UK have been blessed by the can in some way these days and some outsiders could be forgiven for thinking that the graff scene was being commercialised, what with the current media penchant for all things Banksy. Luckily that is about as far from the truth as OJ's alibis and anyone who lives in Bristol can testify to that.
There have been rumours circulating for a while now that one of Bristol's most notorious sons, Banksy, is planning a massive show somewhere in his hometown. Well last night it was revealed where and when this would go down. The answer - Bristol City Museum (to start with anyway and if the council don't stick their oar in...) and it all kicks off officially tomorrow.
I was going to write a big piece about this, full of rage and bile and wit, but then I thought no, let the people see & read for themselves what this bunch of wankers think they're doing, but in reality their argument is more pointless and childish than the work of Banksy ever could be. Read the Bristolian backlash on their site and come to your own conclusions.
http://www.appropriatemedia.net/
A show that's been getting an incredible amount of good buzz lately is JUSTICE, an exhibition in Bristol that brings together work from five artists - C215, Dan23, Bruno Leyval, Least Wanted and MC1984.
All of the work in the exhibition is based on the themes of Law and Order. The show includes specific installations, photography, prints, and stencils, all placed within the the Bridewell Police Station’s cells.
Long Arm Gallery, Bridewell Street, Bristol, BS1 3PY.
3rd - 26th April 2009.
Thursday - Saturday, 12pm-7pm.
Sunday, 12-4pm.
Also by appointment 07794 331424.
"Children Of The Can: 25 Years of Bristol Graffiti" documents the Bristol graffiti story from the early days of 3D’s New York-inspired work and John Nation's grass roots influence at the Barton Hill Youth Club in Bristol, to the current crop of artists who have helped to make Bristol’s graffiti scene one of the UK's most influential and diverse.
"Children Of The Can" features the work of all the city's best-known and (until now) slept-on talent, including:
2Keen, 3D, Awkward, Banksy, Cheo, China Mike, Filthy Luker, Haka, Inkie, Jeff Row, Jody, Just Another Crew, Kato, KTF, Lokey, Mr.Jago, Mudwig, Nick Walker, Rowdy, Shimz, Sickboy, Soker, Souls On Fire, TNP, TUB, Turoe, Twentieth Century Frescoes, What Collective, Will Barras, The Z-Boys and many more…
