‘Someone is painting Mr Bump everywhere in my neighbourhood and I want to know more’

I first wrote in Bristol24/7 in September 2021 about a set of colourful street paintings which had appeared around my neighbourhood.

I never thought that two years on I’d still be writing about it, or that the whole thing would have become so weird or prolific.

Back in the beginning there were five artworks around Sea Mills, all of the distinctive bandaged Mr Bump from Roger Hargreaves’ Mr Men and Little Miss series of books.

None of them were tagged or signed. They kept appearing, multiplying rapidly and causing a stir on social media as far away as Shirehampton.

After I reported in Bristol24/7 that one of my neighbours had christened the artist ‘Bumpsy’, the originals started to be repainted and the Bumpsy tag – mirroring the stenciling of Banksy – was added.

Since then I’ve wanted to meet the artist, to find out more about what motivates them and why they chose this particular 1970s children’s cartoon character.

I’m not interested in unmasking or reporting Bumpsy, but I am intrigued.

Whoever this person is, they very much enjoy the publicity. They appear to be a generous person, one who wants to share their art.

At least one paper artwork has been left for locals to find for locals to find with a message: “If you like me, take me home.”

Bristol24/7 reporter Mary now has her own gift from Bumpsy – photo: Mary Milton

I now have my own gift from Bumpsy.

I manage the mini-museum in a phone box on Sea Mills Square. A couple of months ago, the volunteer who opens and closes the museum found a small canvas left there, tagged on the back by Bumpsy.

Mr Bump is depicted visiting the museum, the nearby oak tree and the museum street sign are also featured.

Was this intended for me? It’s a beautiful thing and well painted, done by a clearly talented artist. In the spirit of sharing we left the canvas in the display cabinet of the museum for a few weeks.

I’ve since claimed the canvas because I love it so much, but I do wonder if I’m being lightly stalked, provoked into writing another story (it has worked) by an artist who likes to be talked about.

The first Mr Bump painting as it appeared on the Portway in 2021. The Bumpsy tag has since been added – photo: Mary Milton

I’m regularly asked about Bumpsy. Some people are convinced I must know who this person is. I’ve been asked if I can get them to do a painting in a particular place or if I know the locations of every single artwork.

Currently there are more than 100 paintings, a few include other Mr Men and Little Miss characters, and possibly even a few copycats.

The latest painting is definitely a copycat. It’s even signed ‘Nosey’.

It appeared on a fence in Lyndale Avenue off Sea Mills Lane in recent days, and was painted by Bristol-born Guardian journalist Rich Pelley.

Rich has also become intrigued by the Bumpsy artwork which he’s seen multiply every time he’s returned to visit his home city. Like me, he wants to know more about this artist but keep them anonymous.

“I have no way of making contact. I therefore wondered if I painted a picture under the name Nosey that he would make contact with me. I have tagged him on all my socials,” Rich says.

Rich has done a decent job of painting a group of colourful Mr Men on a friend’s garden boundary. They include Mr Tickle, Mr Nosey, Mr Chatterbox and – of course – Mr Bump.

Rich seems convinced that this artist is a man. That would be the stereotype but perhaps the creator of these fun and playful images is a woman?

He is also suspicious that the Mr Bumpsy Instagram account belongs to the artist. It could just belong to a random, graffiti appreciating, labrador owner but they have not posted since Rich tried to contact them or replied to any of his messages. They also edited one of their posts to remove the name of their dog.

So Bumpsy, dog owner or not, we invite you to get in touch with Rich or myself. We’d love to know more. We are just nosey.

This is an opinion piece by Mary Milton, who is reporting on Sea Mills as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media

Main photo: Rich Pelley

Read next:

• Mr Bump street art causes a stir
• Project launched to save river from sewage
• Last bank in Bristol suburb to close

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: