Artists to take over billboards in Southsea to show support for key workers

Graphic designer and curator Annabel Innes is co-ordinating the project to transform the billboards along Goldsmith Avenue, with the help of 15 local artists.

Annabel said she wanted to send ‘positive messages’ to the community during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

She said: ‘I was driving down Goldsmith Avenue and saw all these empty billboards and thought they looked awful.

‘So I came up with the idea to communicate positive messages to the NHS and all the other people who are making sure the cogs of society continue to turn.’

The use of the billboards have been donated by Billboard Media, who are requiring the project cover the cost of installing the artwork.

Annabel said: ‘They have been really encouraging – the director I spoke to was immediately on board.

‘They are thinking of expanding the idea across the south coast.

‘They have had a final look at the finished artwork, but they haven’t directed the choices in any way.

‘And I very quickly had a slew of artists – everyone has been really enthusiastic.’

Thanks to the support of the billboards’ owner and the artistic community, Annabel plans to exhibit three different artworks on each site over the coming weeks.

Among the first artists to be exhibited will include graffiti artist Mark Jones, aka Fark, artist Harry Roberts, and Petting Zoo Prints owner Spencer Hunt.

But for the first wave of artwork, the project needs to raise a total of £3,000, covering the costs of the artwork instillation and the crowdfunding campaign, run on Kickstarter.

She said: ‘If we don’t reach the target we don’t get anything.

‘So it’s do or die.

‘For the second and third waves we are looking for business sponsorship.

‘This should cut the cost in half, because we won’t have to use Kickstarter.’

To encourage people to donate, generous backers are sent a variety of limited edition gifts, including personalised digital artwork to use on social media and limited edition prints.

The project has already raised more than £1,500 from 65 backers.

Annabel said: ‘We raised £1,000 in two days, which was amazing.

‘I have had hundreds of messages of support.

‘It’s been 100 per cent positive.'

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