Brighton streets lit up with children’s drawings

By Melina Sharma

A series of light sculptures based on children’s drawings can be found scattered throughout a Brighton neighbourhood as part of this year’s festival.

Fabrica Gallery, which is hosting the Luminary exhibition by British artist Ron Haselden, contacted people in Hanover to host his LED light sculptures in their homes too.

Now, giant twinkling faces can be seen dotted around the area every evening from 6pm.

Bobby Lambkin-William, 44, who lives in Southampton Street, said: ‘‘We went to Brighton Festival’s launch party back in February and noticed a little segment in the festival programme about the project.

‘‘I thought I wouldn’t mind hosting one of these guys so I got in touch with Fabrica, who spent no more than 30 minutes setting it all up for free – and here it is.

‘‘We’ve got a light well downstairs in the lounge and kids in the area love to stand on the glass roof and jump up and down when they see the sculpture.

‘‘There is an element of community about the project, which I really like. I love the neighbourhood so much; the sense of community here is what kept me from moving elsewhere.’’

The light sculptures can be seen on Montreal Road, Jersey Street, Southampton Street, Lincoln Street, Southover Street, Queen’s Park Road, Howard Street, Jackson Street, Islingword Street and Whichelo Place.

The project, named Luminary by Ron Haselden, originated from the artist’s love of sketches produced by an ‘untutored hand’. Drawings by young children and older people inspired him to produce sculptures displayed at his current exhibition in Fabrica.

Four giant children’s sculptures can be spotted on the terrace of The Independent Pub on Queen’s Park Road, previously known as The Walmer Castle.

Matt Russell, co-owner of the pub, said: ‘‘We love getting involved with local art at the pub – we’re just about to start exhibiting our second Hanover artist on the pub walls, so for us this was a natural project to be a part of.

‘‘One of our lovely regulars and neighbours works with the Fabrica Gallery and she suggested us as a venue for one of the sculptures.

‘‘I then met with the artist, Ron Haselden, and a couple of people from Fabrica and we decided on the terrace as a great visual place for the sculptures.

‘‘On my short walk to work I pass at least five or six of the sculptures in people’s windows so I’m very excited to see them in their illuminated glory come the festival.’’

Laurence Hill, head of communications at Fabrica, said: ‘‘We’ve targeted Hanover to house these sculptures specifically because the streets are quite small and the area has a very intimate environment.

‘‘Maintenance wise, these light sculptures have been a doddle compared to previous projects we’ve hosted.’’

The light sculptures are automatically set by Fabrica to light up at 6pm and switch off at midnight. They will be available to house until the end of the Brighton Festival.

If anyone is interested in setting up a light sculpture, visit the Fabrica website here.