Update: Wow! This Bristol Banksy changed from my photo on Friday 23rd Feb to reports of tagging on Saturday 24th Feb 2018.

Stormzy had just won best male solo artist at the Brit awards 2018 and I have been humming ‘Blinded by Your Grace’ since I first heard it. It was a happy day, not Sunny, but happy. Some says Bristol is a divided city, and maybe the street art scene is a part of it? Walking around in this posh part of the city, makes you think about a city with wealthy roots and proper, fine art, and Clifton suspension bridge. And this time I had to walk far to find anything at all, anything slightly street artistic that is.

First, the Water Tower 💦  A Bristol landmark, especially for the locals. (Straight ahead in the distance in this photo.) A good starting point for exploring Bristol as a local, a tourist or simply an “arty farty” person. Surrounded by the city’s big green space, The Downs – this is an excellent start for any walk, a picnic, a snack and a coffee (‘Cafe Retreat’ to the left of the tower). My walk goes down Whiteladies road -Queen’s Road- Park Street where I hunt primarily for street art. Continuing my journey from Gloucester rd. The guaranteed reward is that there is a Banksy or two on this route as well.

I head off down town. (For those of you preferring to walk downhill, this walk is definitely a downhill walk all the way, taking you from The Downs to The Harbourside and inner gem of Bristol city if you want.) But 1st, a toilet pit stop in the Water Tower cafe🤭

Cross the roads when you see Intersport, a shop loved by us Norwegians (important fact!), and you are on the right track, Whiteladies road. Basically follow this road all the way down the hill. And down, and down. You can go all the way down to the waterfront.

The first slightly street arty I could find was inside this pub… I was getting impatient. Then Better Food came up!

After that, only the Angry tags, not the beauty of it! Yet.

I had to take a pic of this, and it is the name of a Bristol band, Google says. The print looks arty to me!

Drip Fed Empire, an experimental duo fusing electronic music and heavy metal. Interesting Bristol based Performing Arts!

Further down a similar style and writing on the wall appears:

I pass Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Queen’s rd, where Banksy’s ‘Paint Pot Angel’ is supposed to be, but I cannot find it. The street art..? I ask inside the museum and yes, it is just inside the building:

Banksy, 2009: From ‘Bansky versus Bristol Museum’

Park Street is coming alive in front of this monumental building as you come back out of the museum. I recommend a glance to the left as a new street-vibe comes alive.

From here we cross over by the lights and dive into the descending Park Street. And pictures arise from the skyline, finally!

#jodyartist

And after a couple of tea pots! I head down to the Naked Man and ‘Well Hung Lover’.

Street artist Banksy has put his mark on this side of Bristol as well! Rumours have suggested he went to Bristol Cathedral School by College Green, the green space behind you as you see the Naked Man Hanging From Window. Actually the road below looks pretty interesting:

I am on top of the bridge, I don’t plan to go under the bridge and from here there are lots of great routes around the city and down to the Harbourside of Bristol (not even five minutes away). A Fish & Chips restaurant is just around the corner #catch22bristol. For me, the harbourside walk will have to wait as I am heading back up the hill for a cake and a coffee at #pinkmans #parkstreet      I didn’t regret it! Donut heaven.

Lastly, I want to mention that on this route you’ll find the RWA – Royal West of England Academy of Art – with lots of interesting exhibitions in their gallery – right now “Women with Vision” is on. A celebration of the British women’s suffrage and build up to International Women’s Day!  I plan to visit, just not on a street art, Stormzy kinda day 🙂 Next time it’s RWA I shall pay a visit and “A celebration of women in British art- past, present and future.”