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Bristol Street Art History: Inkie
Born in 1970 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tom Bingle aka Inkie, grew up in Bristol, England, where he became one of the greatest agents of the British street art scene since the mid-1980s. He was a young teenage boy when he discovered the blooming graffiti scene, then saw it evolve from a series of murals to a real movement. Contrary to many writers, he never stopped painting and developed partnerships with other key writers and painters, collaborations remaining at the heart of what he does.
According to the world-renowned street art festival, Upfest, which Inkie helped create, he is “one of the most notorious graffiti writers in UK history to emerge out of the 80s Bristol scene.” Though Inkie is an artist, designer of prints, illustrator, fashion designer, and muralist, he’s known for his large-scale pieces representing rebellious female faces. His diverse inspirations come from Mayan architecture as much as William Morris, Alfons Mucha and Islamic geometry.
“My dad was an architect,” he told me a few years ago when I first came to Bristol, 120 mi
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Street Art Cities
About the artist
Tom Bingle aka Inkie, has emerged as one of the most prolific graffiti writers in UK history working across fashion, jewellery, design and the visual arts. He received International recognition following his infamous role in the 1989 UK police raid ‘Operation Anderson’. Noted as the largest UK graffiti bust, Inkie was identified as the ‘Kingpin’, and was arrested along with 72 other graffiti writers. Inkie’s work is characterised by a unique collaboration of graffiti and figurative imagery. His widely recognised style draws on Art Nouveau influences with an unmistakeable urban twist; portraits of beautiful women are usually accompanied by poignant words or phrases; faces are understated, almost anime and are framed with his iconic stylised flowing hair. He has worked as head of design for SEGA Europe, Xbox and until recently, worked as Jade Jagger’s in-house designer. He also runs a print and design studio. His work is coveted by celebrity followers including Cara Delevigne, Robbie Williams, Jade Jagger, Fatboy Slim and Sean Pertwee
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