Dorset's largest public mural was declared open to the public this week, after five weeks of work from a team of undergraduate students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
Cllr George Farquhar, Mayor of Bournemouth, and Cllr Lesley Dedman, Chairman of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, joined AUB staff and students for the mural's opening ceremony on Monday 2 September. The mural is located under the Braidley Road flyover, on the way to Bournemouth town centre from Meyrick Park.
"This beautiful artwork has transformed this whole area and has created a delightfully warm and colourful welcome into Bournemouth town centre," says Cllr Dedman. "Not only visually stunning, it’s wonderful to discover that it’s celebrating local artists and painted by our local art students, a fabulous project.”
The project was a live brief set by AUB's BA (Hons) Illustration course, for both Illustration and BA (Hons) Graphic Design students, as part of a collaboration with BPC Council, LUSH, and Studio Studio, headed by Bridie Cheeseman and Jake Williams. The team of 18 students began work on the mural earlier in the summer.
“We’re all very proud of this collaboration," says Lisa Mann, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Executive Director of Academic Innovation at AUB. "This is what AUB is all about, working with stakeholders from our community and inspiring young people. We know that many of the local schools are already planning trips down here to find out more about the incredible creatives who are from our home county.”
The intention was to celebrate the Creatives of Dorset, by showcasing 15 local and varied creatives who have lived in, or have connections to, Bournemouth and the wider area. These include the Bridport-born artist and singer/songwriter PJ Harvey; actress Millie Bobby Brown, who grew up in Bournemouth; and AUB alumni Wolfgang Tillmans and Adama Jalloh, both renowned photographers.
“There’s so many people to thank on this project..." says Vincent Larkin, course leader for BA (Hons) Illustration at AUB, "...But the biggest thanks should go to the students who gave up their free time to design and then come and paint the mural, day after day for weeks on end, it’s an incredible achievement and a wonderful gift from them to the town.”
Final words came from Bournemouth Mayor, Cllr George Farquhar: “The amount of work that’s gone into this project is vast, and the results are incredibly impressive.
"After listening to Vincent explain just one of these six pillars, I’m looking forward to the plaque and QR code being installed, so I can find out more about the other artists featured. This giant canvas instils pride in our local area, recognises the talent we have within AUB and in Dorset, and celebrates these fantastic creatives.”