the street is our gallery

As the first stage easing of lockdown came in the UK last week, a huge new street art piece by French artist Nerone was completed in New Brighton’s independent Victoria Quarter. The artwork features Nerone’s unique and colourful, dreamlike psychedelic flowers which appear to elegantly drip down walls onto the pavement below, bringing a splash of colour to the neighbourhood.

The latest addition to join the New Brighton Street Art Tour, an open-air art gallery which now includes more than 25 artworks by national and international street artists, ‘Belladonna’ by Nerone can be found on the corner of Virginia and Belmont Roads, and at 15m x 10m is the artist’s biggest UK piece to-date.

Image: Pirate Pete

Nerone was previously booked twice to paint in the town, once in November 2020 and then rescheduled in February 2021, but due to government restrictions on UK travel, he wasn’t able to visit New Brighton until now.

“It has been an incredible experience creating my dripping flowers for New Brighton Street Art and to be part of the transformation of this city. It’s impressive to see what this Team is doing out there” says Nerone.

Inspired by the energy and vivid atmosphere of the street; in Bordeaux and Paris, Nerone now lives and works in East London. His colourful and outlandish walls can now be seen in many places, including Paris, New York, Cartagena, Bangkok, Berlin, Marrakech and Seoul. He has also worked for various international companies including Apex Celebrity Cruises, Danone, Puma and Jaguar Land Rover.

Speaking about the work, Robert Jones – Street Art Director of regeneration company Rockpoint Leisure said:

“It’s been third time lucky arranging for Nerone to come and paint with us – but it’s a terrific and visual way to mark the town opening for business again after such a turbulent year.”

“Like everyone we had to put all our development plans on hold for twelve months and now finally we can pick up where we left off. There’s some big art projects in the pipeline.”

“Nerone’s work ‘Belladonna’ is absolutely striking – it’s so positive and upbeat, the colours really pop against the sky. I’m sure it’ll quickly become a favourite on the Tour.”

The New Brighton Street Art Tour is a free attraction within New Brighton, commissioned and funded by Rockpoint Leisure, with artworks by Dotmasters, Ben Eine, Fanakapan, Mr Penfold, Snik, Smug and INSA – plus many more.

Tour maps are available free at shops and venues on and around Victoria Road – as well as a downloadable version on the tour’s website.

Each artwork is also fitted with a QR code and visitors can simply scan it with their smartphone to be instantly taken to the Street Art Tour website where they will find artist profiles plus exclusive video interviews.

More information about Nerone and the New Brighton Street Art Tour can be found at www.newbrightonstreetart.com.

Picture Credits: Pirate Pete