Upfest Announces 2022 Lead Artists for their 15th Anniversary

Upfest 2022, Crafted by POSCA has confirmed its lead artist line-up with talent from across the UK, Europe, Australia and South America joining 2022 Festival Artist Squirl.

Image: Piece by festival artist, Squirl.

Europe’s largest live street art festival returns to the streets of South Bristol from 28 – 29 May with street painting 5 – 25 May, celebrating its 15th year in style with over 400 artists from 50 countries in attendance.

This year’s lead artists are Aches, JDL, Kashink, L7m, Rosie Woods, Sabek, Sophie Mess and Bristol greats HazardOne and FLX.

The Upfest team are also proud to announce our 2022 Festival Artist, Squirl, is a UK based artist who works in unique and varied styles that bridge the gaps between illustration, fine art, installation and street art. His work featured in Upfest’s 75 Walls artist line up from 2021 and he created an abstract, bold piece inspired by nature on The Nursery, Bedminster.

Festival founder, Stephan Hayles, said: “Squirl has been a long standing collaborator with Upfest and we’ve been following his work and progression for years. Squirl has donated some amazing rewards to our £30,000 crowdfunding including a limited edition print and t-shirt which can be found via our website and completes on the 10th April.”

Festival Artists, Squirl, said: “"I'm just excited to paint... hopefully in the sun. Upfest creates an amazing festival for artists from the city and further afield, so the fact they've chosen me to be the festival artist means a lot. I believe in street art and Graffiti as a positive expression that comes without elitism or snobbery. It's a way to battle the things that are wrong, or hold up the things that are right. 
“Here at Upfest the viewer, or the passer by is given a very VERY broad range of artwork to take in. Not confined to a bubble of only the things that they like. There is something to be learnt from that.

Most importantly I love coming out west, and painting! There are so many excellent artists and humans over here."

As well as choosing the Festival Artist, Upfest also invites a group of artists to take the title of lead artists who are recognised for creating progressive artwork within their field and being inspirational to other artists and will take on the painting of key walls as part of this year’s programme which will commence between the 5 - 25 May. 
Ireland-based artist, Aches, specialises in large scale murals and graffiti and has been painting since he was 15. Using his knowledge of graphic design and graffiti, Aches has developed his craft, creating his signature rainbow-glitch style. 

FLX is a renowned street artist in Bristol who has been active on the streets for more than 30 years. 

HazardOne has been noted as one of the Guardian’s Top 5 UK female graffiti artists and the Top 25 female street artists by The Huffington Post. Hazard was one of the first artists to paint for the Upfest 75 Walls project opposite the Masonic on North Street and is known for her portraits of women and detailed floral pieces amongst other pieces. 

JDL is another leading female street artist who is joining the festival from Amsterdam. JDL has worked in over 41 countries including Asia and the USA, creating large-scale murals that address social issues. 

French artist Kashink is one of the leading female street artists in France, using her experiences travelling around the world to get inspiration from many different cultures to create work that celebrates the diversity in humanity. Her work is instantly recognisable through her signature huge four-eyed characters, bold lines and bright colours. 

Upfest regular L7m was born in the countryside of São Paulo in 1988 and from a very early age began to hone his artistic skills. At 13 years of age he first began to use spray cans, developing his unique style that explores colour, simplicity and free flowing geometry and Upfest fans will remember his work fondly from his 2015 parrot mural at The Masonic.

Rosie Woods, Sabek and Sophie Mess will also be joining the line-up of Lead Artists for Upfest 2022 and you can expect ethereal flowing forms and flowers, silhouettes inspired by nature and animals and some bold botanical pieces from these artists. 
There are still many more artists to be announced, so for information and updates on the festival, artist profiles as well as the Upfest gallery visit www.upfest.co.uk or follow the festival Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Once again Upfest will be raising money for The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) which offers aid and assistance for children growing up in families affected by alcoholism.

To show your support and grab exclusive rewards please visit the Fundsurfer page.