Bristol Street Portrait Photography Session With Model Khie Biggs

Bristol Street Portrait Photography Session With Model Khie Biggs

Model Portrait Series: Khie Biggs

I very much enjoyed photographing young Bristol model Khie Biggs in Bristol recently. We found a superb location for the portraits with amazingly complex graffiti and generally plenty of urban decay… which possibly couldn’t be better if you’d actually designed the set yourself. Sometimes being a photographer in Bristol really has many advantages, including such a rich supply of interesting locations.

If you’d like to contact Khie, his Instagram is here.

I’d love to hear from other models interested in having a photo session out and about around the UK, also I am keen to hear from make-up artists and stylists, too. Please get in touch!

Thanks, Paul.

To finish this blog I thought I’d include a write-up about graffiti in Bristol.

Graffiti at the Cumberland Basin and the History of Street Art in Bristol

Bristol has long been known as a hub for creativity and artistic expression, and its streets are no exception. One of the city’s most famous locations for street art is the Cumberland Basin, an industrial area surrounded by water and historical buildings. Over the years, this space has become a canvas for artists from all walks of life, contributing to the vibrant street art culture that defines the city today. In this article, we’ll explore the graffiti found at the Cumberland Basin, its significance, and how it fits into the broader history of graffiti in Bristol.

The Cumberland Basin: A Canvas for Street Art

Located in the heart of Bristol, the Cumberland Basin is an area steeped in history, dating back to the early 19th century when it was first developed as a docking station for ships. Today, the basin is surrounded by industrial buildings, warehouses, and old infrastructure, providing the perfect backdrop for street artists to make their mark.

The graffiti at Cumberland Basin is diverse, with works ranging from vibrant murals to smaller, more subtle pieces. Many of the murals here reflect the area’s industrial heritage, with artists incorporating themes of machinery, ships, and the working class into their pieces. These works often give a nod to the area’s past while looking forward to the future, showcasing the creativity and adaptability of street art.

Iconic Graffiti at the Cumberland Basin

One of the most notable pieces of graffiti in the Cumberland Basin is a large mural of a woman’s face, painted on the side of an industrial building. This piece, with its striking use of color and expression, has become a staple of the area, attracting photographers and visitors from all over the world. Other works in the basin vary in style, with some following the classic graffiti aesthetic of bold tags and stylized letters, while others take on a more abstract or surrealist approach.

What makes the Cumberland Basin so special is the constant evolution of its graffiti. Like much of the street art in Bristol, the works here are never permanent, with new pieces frequently replacing older ones. This ever-changing landscape reflects the dynamic and fluid nature of street art, where artists are given the freedom to experiment, collaborate, and express their ideas without the constraints of traditional gallery spaces.

Graffiti Around Bristol: A City with a Rich Street Art Legacy

While the Cumberland Basin has earned a reputation for being one of the city’s street art hotspots, graffiti is woven into the fabric of Bristol’s urban landscape. From the famous murals of Stokes Croft to hidden alleyways and abandoned buildings, street art in Bristol is as varied as it is abundant.

Bristol is often hailed as the birthplace of the modern street art movement, largely thanks to the work of its most famous artist—Banksy. Born in the city, Banksy’s early works were pivotal in shaping the culture of street art in Bristol. His politically charged stenciled pieces, which often feature dark humor and social commentary, can still be found on walls across the city. Banksy’s presence in Bristol has drawn global attention, turning the city into a living museum of street art.

But Banksy is far from the only artist to leave their mark on Bristol’s streets. Local and international artists alike have contributed to the city’s street art scene. Over the years, the city has played host to various street art festivals, such as the Upfest, which celebrates urban art and graffiti culture. These events bring together artists from around the world to showcase their work, further cementing Bristol’s reputation as one of the most vibrant street art capitals in Europe.

The Evolution of Graffiti in Bristol

Graffiti has a long and complex history, with roots tracing back to ancient civilizations. In modern times, however, graffiti began to emerge as a distinct form of artistic expression in the late 20th century. Initially, graffiti was associated with illegal activities, particularly in urban areas where artists would spray-paint public spaces as a form of rebellion.

In Bristol, graffiti culture took off in the 1980s, coinciding with the rise of the city’s underground music scene. Hip hop, punk, and reggae music were pivotal in influencing early street artists, who used graffiti as a form of protest and self-expression. As the city grew more diverse and urbanized, graffiti became a way for people to voice their opinions on political issues, social inequalities, and urban decay.

Street art in Bristol began to move away from its rebellious roots in the 1990s, as more artists began to embrace the idea of using graffiti as an art form rather than an act of defiance. This shift led to a proliferation of murals and public art projects, as artists began to gain recognition from both the public and private sectors.

In the 2000s, Bristol saw a growing acceptance of street art as a legitimate form of artistic expression. Public commissions, art festivals, and collaborations between local authorities and artists helped to elevate street art to new heights. The arrival of Banksy in the 1990s, and his subsequent rise to international fame, only further validated the city’s reputation as a street art hub.

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

The debate over whether graffiti should be considered art or vandalism has raged for years. While some argue that graffiti is a form of artistic expression that should be celebrated, others view it as a blight on public spaces that undermines the efforts to maintain and beautify urban areas.

In Bristol, however, graffiti is widely accepted as an essential part of the city’s culture. Local councils have acknowledged the value of street art and have even commissioned works for public spaces. The success of street art events like Upfest, and the widespread popularity of murals around the city, show that graffiti is embraced by both the public and artists alike.

The Cumberland Basin is a perfect example of how graffiti can enhance the urban landscape. The industrial aesthetic of the area, combined with the creative energy of street artists, has transformed the Cumberland Basin into an open-air gallery. Each new mural or piece of graffiti adds to the story of the area, creating a visual history that reflects the ever-changing nature of Bristol.

Conclusion: Graffiti as a Vital Part of Bristol’s Identity

Graffiti at the Cumberland Basin and throughout Bristol is much more than just an art form—it is a reflection of the city’s creativity, diversity, and rebellious spirit. From the famous works of Banksy to the vibrant murals in Stokes Croft and the Cumberland Basin, Bristol’s street art scene has become a defining feature of the city. The evolution of graffiti from its early days as an act of defiance to its current status as a celebrated form of public art shows just how far the culture has come.

As street art continues to evolve, the streets of Bristol will undoubtedly remain a canvas for artists to express themselves, inspiring both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a photographer, art enthusiast, or casual observer, the graffiti around Bristol offers a unique insight into the city’s rich cultural fabric, making it one of the most exciting places in the world to experience urban art.