Winter 2020
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17
b and his Amazin
Background Bo A unique collaboration between a young disabled artist from Essex and some of the world’s most prominent street artists, plus members of the public and key workers, will feature in a remarkable new exhibition at Colchester’s Firstsite this winter.
Noah – AKA @background_bob - began painting on cardboard when he was unable to attend school during lockdown. Using a palette of vibrant colours Noah creates bold, confident abstract shapes. While looking at the paintings, Noah’s stepdad Nathan had a fantastic idea. He posted on Instagram, inviting artists to use @background_bob’s paintings as backgrounds for them to complete in their own, inimitable styles. Initially expecting a handful of artists to respond, the family was shocked when over 80 replies from eight different countries came in almost immediately. Since that first request, a staggering 240 unique pictures have been co-created by Noah and artists from countries across the globe, including the UK, Colombia, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden,
g Friends Germany, the USA and Australia – artists involved include Pez, My dog sighs, Anna Schellberg, the London Police, Pure Evil, Ange Bell, Heath Kane, along with comedian Phill Jupitus. Local key workers in the Colchester area have also contributed their own designs, which will feature in the Firstsite exhibition, as Noah receives care at Colchester General Hospital.
As regular visitors to Firstsite, Noah and Nathan approached the gallery when it became clear that the exhibition had grown too large to be exhibited in the children’s ward at Colchester General Hospital, which was their original plan. To coincide with the exhibition, Noah and his family have produced a book, Background Bob & his amazing friends, with all the artworks included, which is available to buy online at participating outlets, including the gallery’s own shop. After the exhibition, all the paintings will be sold via an online auction on eBay, to raise funds for the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity. www.firstsite.uk
