New Tobacco Factory mural marks halfway for Upfest 75 Walls project

The iconic Upfest location on the Tobacco Factory, North Street will begin to be transformed today, ready to be painted by pioneering 3D muralist Insane 51.

The wall, which features an iconic mural of Greta Thunberg by Bristol artist Jody, will be blanked out today ready for the Greek artist to begin work later this week. 

The Tobacco Factory’s George Ferguson comments;

"We have been honoured to be able to host Jody’s iconic mural of Greta Thunberg over the past two years - the most enduring of all the great work we have had on the Tobacco Factory wall. It has been hugely popular in Bristol, adopted by Greta on her social media and seen by 10’s of millions of people across the world, and it is very much in the spirit of street art, and Upfest in particular, that its artwork is transitory.. 

"It is great to be able to celebrate the vital work that Greta continues to do holding power to account. We now look forward to a new work that will continue the theme of our relationship with nature and the planet - in the knowledge that the Greta image and its message is now firmly imprinted on millions of minds." 

"Thank you Upfest, Thank you Jody, Thank you Greta!”

Upfest has now unveiled 40 murals across Bedminster as part of it’s 75 Walls project, which will see 75 murals painted in 75 days. Some incredible pieces are already in place including this week’s Inkie piece on Dear Old Thing, Mr Penfold, Roo Art on East Street, and a huge 3D mural from CuicaSolo on the Hen and Chicken. This project features a landmark 50/50 gender split for the artist lineup, with a phenomenal amount of female talent on show already on the streets. 

Insane 51 has painted at Upfest before with an incredible 3D mural further down North Street being painted over as part of the project. He specialises in double exposure murals which show multiple artworks with 3D Glasses. He has quarantined in the UK especially to paint this landmark mural for the city. 

See more about Upfest’s 75 Wall projects on www.upfest.co.uk.