Bristol’s Kid Crayon presents his first solo show since 2014

Illustrator and mural artist Kid Crayon first moved to Bristol in the mid 2000s; inspired by Aardman, he studied animation at UWE.

Though still a lover of animation, he soon began to focus on painting outside, rather than purely making work on a computer screen.

As a pioneering city for street art, living in Bristol was a big part of that creative decision. “Bristol has an incredibly rich history with graffiti and street art,” he tells Bristol 24/7.

“I’m not sure I would have ventured down this path if it wasn’t for the fact that graffiti/street art was such an integral part of the city.

“I literally lived opposite the Aryz mural on Nelson Street. I could see an El Mac mural from my bedroom window.

“We forget how lucky we are to have these pieces gifted to us in Bristol. I mean what would North street be like if Upfest had never existed?”

Bear by Kid Crayon – photo: Sam Walsh

In the culmination of a project funded by Arts Council England, Kid Crayon is opening his first exhibition in eight years at D-UNIT gallery on March 4.

Presenting work made over the last year, Cowabunga is a collection of 35 pieces, many of which have been created using alcohol markers – a relatively new medium of focus for him – along with canvases and art toys.

Thematically, the exhibition is themed around the 90s, and is what Kid Crayon describes as “a mix of cartoons, grafitti, hip hop and skate culture”.

Work by Kid Crayon from Cowabunga – photo: Sam Walsh

“The whole show is a tribute to my influences growing up,” he reflects, citing cartoons, videos and toys, as well as strong influences from urban contemporary art, including Russian grafitti artists like Zmey Donsky, Sasha Sunches and Only Hap.

But how would he define his own visual aesthetic? “It’s very cartoony. Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes and Dexter’s Laboratory have completely informed my style. However, I reckon most people would describe me as a ‘street artist’; even though I hate that term.”

Visitors to the exhibition’s opening night will be treated to a soundtrack of “some 90s classics”, and Kid Crayon will be making his signature rum punch. He will also be releasing several digital prints, the Cowabunga fanzine, and limited edition cereal boxes – amongst his personal highlights of the collection.

Custom cereal box by Kid Crayon – photo: Sam Walsh

“The cereal box is a homage to the cereal boxes that we use to see in the 90s,” he recalls. “Usually, they came with a free toy and had puzzles and games on the back of the packaging.

“I wanted to make my own cereal band so I redesigned the ‘frosted flakes’ box, and made custom pogs, which come inside every box. There are 50 boxes in total, and each one has a bag of cereal and a sticker inside.”

Kid Crayon likes to join forces with other artists as much as he can; an aspect to his work which is a “regular practice, if you paint walls”.

In this show, there are three such collaborations: with Paul Monsters, on a small wood painting; with origami street artist ‘Airborne Mark’, on the back panel of a jean jacket; and with London-based artist Choots, on a pair of customised sculptures.

Cowabunga poster, by Kid Crayon – image: Sam Walsh

Throughout his Cowabunga collection, Kid Crayon’s work is shot through with a papable sense of fun and nostalgia. But there is another effect of showing the pieces in an exhibition. Displaying works side by side has allowed Kid Crayon to add layers of connection between them.

“It’s almost like an Easter egg hunt,” he explains. “I thought it would be a clever way of making people really stare at all the details and have fun trying to find the ways in which the pieces are connected.

“For example, the cereal box can be spotted in my mighty max print. The mighty max print is then connected to one of my paintings. I’ve purposely left one or two pieces without a connection and there will be a prize for the person who tells me which ones. I will also be giving a few prints out to the initial runners up.”

Cowabunga is at D-UNIT, Durnford St, Bristol, BS3 2AW from March 4-6 (doors will open at 6pm on March 4).

Main photo: Sam Walsh

Read more: Debut exhibition for self-taught contemporary artist Kim Piffy

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