Gabrielle Parker, current AUBSU president and AUB graduate, has been named Artist in Residence for this year’s Arts by the Sea festival.
Since graduating from BA (Hons) Illustration in 2023, Gabrielle has been championing student voices, platforming talent, and leading with creativity in her role as the President for AUB’s Students' Union, AUBSU.
Inspired by drag and icons like Leigh Bowery, Gabrielle’s work blends playfulness and power with eccentric, colourful 3D characters. She’s now bringing her surreal, digital illustration style to Arts by the Sea, the South West’s biggest celebration of arts and culture.
Gabrielle comments, “Being named the 2025 Artist in Residence for Arts by the Sea is a huge honour.
"Having lived, studied and grown as an artist in Bournemouth, it feels incredibly special to be part of a festival that celebrates everything I love about this community; its vibrancy, its creativity and its spirit of self-expression. I can't wait to bring my world of strange, surreal characters to life and invite audiences to immerse themselves in playful, vivid spaces where everyone can revel in who they are."
Gabrielle will be responsible for curating this year’s visual identity for the festival, teaming up with 2024 Artist in Residence Rebecca Strickson to bring the theme of ‘We Are Here’ to life.
Arts by the Sea takes place from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 September. Information about performances and events taking place can be found on their website.
More of Gabrielle’s work can be found on Instagram.
