Meet the Selfie Wall artists
There are seven super talented artists involved in the coastal Selfie Wall Trail project, who between them, have created 11 spectacular, vibrant and eye-catching murals dotted along the seafront - all with links to Ambassadeur Art.
Iain Alexander
Co-creator of the Selfie Wall project and Ambassadeur Resident Artist, Iain Alexander specialises in bespoke portraits under his brand ALTR-EGO. By painting directly onto aluminium sheet metal, he uses a selection of mixed mediums to create an almost three-dimensional movement including diamond dust, oils, acrylics and gold leaf. Iain, whose canvas is situated on the east side of Bournemouth Pier, has created Floating Love, a kaleidoscopic, shimmering heart created from hundreds of butterflies on the wing, while at Branksome, in Poole, dolphins are the glorious subject of Freedom.
@ambassadeurart @altregoart
Dairo Vargas
Close to the pier, on one of the arches by Harry Ramsden's, you will find Dairo Vargas’ beautiful interpretation of the classic selfie wall angel wings, Fragments of Time. Columbian Vargas is a contemporary artist who creates ethereal, lyrical and abstract work inspired by dance, movement and everyday life, revealing layers of emotions and inner energy.
www.dairovargas.com
Krishna Malla
Street artist, designer and Bournemouth resident Krishna Malla also paints under the pseudonyms 'Hare' and 'Tech Moon' and has added to his already extensive local outdoor art portfolio at Sandbanks with two stunning murals. Arresting and staggeringly detailed, The Owl and the Pussy Cat, will delight selfie-taking adults and children alike.
www.technicolourmoon.com
Rick 'Also' Walker
Ricky ‘Also’ is the adopted artist name for Rick Walker, Founder and Lead Creative for Paintshop Studio. Rick’s experience as a graphic designer has given him a detailed understanding of how to develop brands and formulate creative concept. Rick’s delightful contribution to the Selfie Wall Trail is La Playa - a zany, cartoon like piece adorning six arches at Alum Chine.
www.paintshopstudio.com
Miroslav Lucan
Another Dorset based artist and photographer, Miroslav Lucan (Lucan Art), creates large-scale public artworks internationally and locally, including 2017’s smash hit Pier Approach Spiderman project and transforming AFC Bournemouth’s away stand. Into the Stars is a giant red space rocket, enlivening the façade of Happyland amusements, to the west of Bournemouth Pier.
@lucanart
Lewis Sutherland
Lewis Sutherland, also known as Smilinlewie, is a Scottish born artist now based in Bournemouth and says that “if you can capture the eyes, you can capture the essence of the subject”. His mesmerising Pick Me, located at Boscombe’s Prom Diner, certainly does this, with richly coloured cuddly toys hoping to be won by an eager little boy at a seaside funfair.
@smilin_lewie
Owain Nicholls
The creator of two vivid and photogenic murals - the charming Beach Fox at Southbourne and Hungry Shark, set to thrill at Branksome, is Arts University Bournemouth graduate, sculptor, painter and illustrator, Owain Nicholls, whose early memories include surfing in the Southbourne waves.
