Interview: Stephen Hayles, Upfest

This month sees the return of Bristol’s annual street art extravaganza Upfest, now in its eighth incarnation. Europe’s largest free street art and graffiti festival, Upfest lures over 300 artists to paint 28 venues across Bedminster and Southville over the weekend of July 23-25.

As ever, there’s plenty of other stuff – affordable art sale, music stages, family activities, art workshops – to lure families, music lovers and anyone fancying a relaxed stroll around BS3’s changing cityscapes. Here’s organiser Stephen Hayles to tell us more.

So, Stephen: how’s Upfest 2016 shaping up in comparison to previous years?
Every year the festival planning becomes more synced like a well-oiled machine – and every year we enhance the festival, adopt new areas and confirm more artists. This year we had 700 artists register – and accepted nearly half of these, because the quality was so awesome. 245 of the registrations came from outside of the UK, which is incredible. We have artists coming from 40 different countries, from Russia to South America and beyond. We’re always humbled by these artists who travel across the world under their own steam to be here.

Any new venues to look out for this year?
New locations include the Southbank arts centre, Ashton Gate Primary School and new painting spots on East and West Street, on top of the 30 venues and locations along the length of North Street and down as far as the Red Point Climbing Centre. It’s basically a BS3 takeover. We’ve also partnered with The Other Art Fair taking place at the Arnolfini over the festival weekend. The festival centrepiece, North Street Green, is being taken over by Relentless and will feature 40 artists plus tunes from Invader FM, beatboxers and craft ale from Glastonbury Ales. 

So, introduce some of this year’s artists to us.
The lineup includes Bristol favourites Inkie, Jody, Cheba and Cheo, returning artists Sokar Uno, Dan Kitchener, Dale Grimshaw, Louis Masai and Irony. Elsewhere we welcome the phenomenal Dutch 3D floor artist Leon Keer, non-conformist urban artist Fin DAC, the incredible anamorphic graffiti artist Odeith, aerosol X-ray art pioneer SHOK-1 and Dutch abstract graffiti artist Mr June. We’re absolutely stoked to have the official Mr Men & Little Miss on board: they’ll be linking in with a number of festival artists including lead artist Cheo. Our 2016 festival artist is Gemma Compton, whose distinctive contemporary style pushes the perceived boundaries of urban art.

Do any Upfests past linger in the memory for any particular reason?
Each year has had its highlights. The first couple were relatively stress-free, so personally I look back on those fondly! There have been so many great pieces over the years – the Herakut artwork on the Tobacco Factory and the Smug & Epok collaboration on the Masonic have been particular favourites. For me the highlights of every festival are the friendships and collaborations that are generated – and working with the volunteers who give up their time to help make Upfest possible.

Any danger of Bristol falling out of love with street art, or is the appetite as strong as ever? 
From our perspective Bristol’s love of street art is as strong as ever, and it’s still one of the city’s main attractions for visitors. Bristol’s walls have become canvases for artists of all genres, from traditional graffiti writers to fine artists, and I think that’s the appeal: you may not like it all, but even the minority that would rather look at grey walls occasionally come across a new artwork that makes them smile. 

Upfest 2016 July 23-25, venues across Bedminster and Southville. For more info, visit www.upfest.co.uk/page/upfest-festival

Read more: The Other Art Fair and Upfest partner up