Art / Street Art
Bristol double-decker bus gets street art makeover
With the Clifton Suspension Bridge, balloons and the colourful houses of Cliftonwood, this could only be Bristol.
But it’s a Bristol in the distinctive style of street artist Cheo, who has transformed a double-decker bus as First partner with Upfest for the upcoming Upfest Presents event.
While one side of the bus is a cityscape, the other half pictures the countryside of the South West, with the bus travelling between Bristol, Yate and Thornbury.
is needed now More than ever
Cheo paints one of his signature bees on the bus – photo: Plaster
Upfest co-founder Stephen Hayles said: “This collaboration between Upfest Presents and First Bus is an inspired way of showcasing exactly what Bristol and the West of England is about.
“We’re creative, we’re bold and we have big ideas. And when it comes to transport, can you get bigger than a double-decker?
“We’re so grateful to First Bus for sponsoring the event this year and giving the artists bus passes for when they’re painting in Bedminster.
“It’s important to us that we put on the best event that we possibly can, and First Bus, along with Arts Council England and the community donations, has allowed us to do that.”
Cheo admires his handiwork – photo: Plaster
Sarah Wallbridge, senior marketing manager for First Bus Wales & West, added: “We’re really excited to be bringing Europe’s largest street art event literally to the streets of Bristol for its first ever mobile piece of artwork.
“Through his design, Cheo has really captured the essence of Upfest while also helping us to reflect the diverse area we serve in the West of England, from the busy cityscape of Bristol to the rolling hills of the Mendip countryside and the famous coastline of Weston-super-Mare.
“This bus screams the West Country, and we love it.”
The other side of the bus features some West Country landmarks – photo: Plaster
Upfest Presents takes place from May 17 to June 2 with free to attend workshops, live painting, artist talks, arts activities, panel discussions, comedy and street art tours. For more information, visit www.upfest.co.uk/page/upfest-festival
Main photo: Plaster
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
