New public artwork shows people enjoying Sidmouth seafront post-lockdown

A new piece of art is now on display at Sidmouth Wallspace in the Ham East Car Park.

The artwork, a collage of photos by photographer Sarah Hall, is entitled 'A Sense of Place' and shows a variety of people sitting in the shelter on Sidmouth Esplanade enjoying the seafront after the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Sarah said: "I would walk my dog along the seafront with my camera and stop to see who was in the shelter.

"I am naturally interested in people and I enjoyed hearing why families and friends had come to Sidmouth."

The piece was developed as part of a community project with Sidmouth Photographic Club, mentored by South West-based British artist and photographer Robert Darch.

Sarah Hall is a professional photographer, and also won the 2021 Portrait of Britain competition with her portrait of a volunteer lifeboat man in Sidmouth.

Click here to visit her website.

What is Sidmouth Wallspace?

Sidmouth Wallspace is a physical public outdoor gallery and is a collaborative project between Sidmouth School of Art, the Coastal Community Hub and David Shrigley, supported by Arts Council England and Sidmouth Town Council. 

It has hosted several other pieces of art, including pieces by Sidmouth College students and Sidmouth Photographic Club, and the billboard was put up in May last year.

Director of Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub Louise Cole said: "It is great to be displaying the work of a variety of creative talent in Sidmouth through our public gallery space for everyone. 

"The purpose of the billboard as part of our Sidmouth School of Art concept is all about inspiring people to explore their own creativity, to bring new artworks to the town for the benefit of residents and visitors and to enable this to happen through projects with specific artists through sharing skills."

Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub is also looking for sponsorship and ideas for new potential billboard projects.