Artists transform billboards in Southsea as part of second wave of support for key workers

The billboards along Goldsmith Avenue have been transformed with uplifting artwork. Credit: Karl Bailey. | Other 3rd Party

FIVE unused billboards in Fratton have been once again transformed by artists across Portsmouth to brighten up the city and spread positivity during the coronavirus pandemic.

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 across three waves of uplifting creativity.

The project launched on April 12, with 151 backers raising £3,426 in six days to ensure the first wave of artwork.

The second wave was installed on Monday and will remain in place for two weeks – and Annabel is thrilled to see the project continue.

A photograph taken by Eastney-resident Karl Bailey, now displayed on the billboards along Goldsmith Avenue, across the road from the Lidl supermarket. | Other 3rd Party

She said: ‘They look fabulous. The feedback was so positive for the first wave.

‘I’m now inundated with offers from freelancers and artists wanting to be involved – but we have allocated all the spaces on the billboards for all three waves of the project.’

‘So we are setting up an online shop so people can still get involved.’

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Artwork by Harry Roberts used in the second wave of billboard art on Goldsmith Avenue. | Other 3rd Party

Profits from the shop, which will go live at www.sometimes.shop, will go towards paying for the installation of the second and third waves of artwork, with the project needing to find £2,300 from sales, private donors, and businesses.

Annabel added: ‘We have had one billboard in this wave sponsored by Sea Dog Print Studio, in Goldsmith Avenue.

‘Artist All Caps was in the first wave and he works for them.’

The billboards along Goldsmith Avenue, across the street from the Lidl supermarket, have been transformed by local artists, with graphic designer Ooberla's bee-themed design (left) and Karl Bailey's funfair photograph (right) brightening up the area. | Other 3rd Party

Among the artists to be exhibited in the second wave include graffiti artist Paul Stone, aka My Dog Sighs, artists Pompey Banana Club and Harry Roberts, as well as photographer Karl Bailey.

It marks the first public exhibition for Eastney resident Karl, who works full time as a key worker supporting teenagers and young adults in care.

He said: ‘I’ve never seen my photographs blown-up to this kind of scale before, and with it helping spread some positive messages during this time, it’s absolutely mind-blowing.’

The billboard project has sparked a new idea for the Annabel, who wants to involve more people in the Portsmouth art scene.

She said: ‘We were thinking of making a Covid-19 art trail across Portsmouth, but now we’re thinking of opening it up and making an app of all the street art in the city.’

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