Towner Eastbourne keeps spectacular mural during coronavirus pandemic

Dance Diagonal, the Brewers Towner Commission, was originally set to come down in 2020, but will now remain in place until spring 2021. This means that art lovers who thought they had missed their chance to view it still have time to see the work when it is safe to do so. The spectacular mural consists of a variety of bright colours cleverly wrapped around the outside of the gallery. Since last summer, it has been visited by tens of thousands of people and it can be seen from as far away as the South Downs. Joe Hill, Towner Eastbourne’s director, said: “If you haven’t had the chance to visit our coloured outdoor commission, or if you’re missing it, the good news is it will still be there to enjoy once life feels a little bit more normal again.” He continued: “I am so pleased that we can offer an outdoor symbol of joy during these troubling times and that people are able to enjoy the work for the coming year when it is safe to do so.” The commission, which is sponsored by Brewers Decorators Centres in Eastbourne, was commissioned as part of Towner’s anniversary programme celebrating 10 years in the current building. Lothar Götz was chosen from 60 artists and designers who applied to an open call. Brewers supplied over 900 litres of high-quality Albany Smooth Masonry paint, using hand-mixed shades to make the design as vibrant as possible. Lothar’s work usually takes the form of large-scale paintings, drawings and installations that work with existing architecture. He has received commissions for Southbank Centre, London (2014) and Leeds Art Gallery (2017). Lothar said: ‘Visible from many prominent viewpoints in Eastbourne, it’s been fantastic to see so many people engaging with and enjoying Dance Diagonal.” He continued: “The painting sits somewhere between street art and minimalism and abstraction and hopefully offers a range of diverse viewings and readings. It has also been wonderful to observe the mural with the changing of the seasons this past year, viewing the hues of the work against different skies and winter, autumnal and now spring climates. I hope many more people will experience this work in the coming year, either as part of a visit to Towner Eastbourne, or as they pass by and view from afar, during these difficult times we currently live through.” Visit www.townereastbourne.org.uk. A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: Thank you for reading this story on our website. But I also have an urgent plea to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy. Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves. As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: “Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role.” But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days. In addition, please write to your MP urging the Government to provide some additional financial support for local newspapers and their websites like this one and ensuring that supermarkets continue to stock them. I cannot stress enough how important such an intervention would be. We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support – and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you. Hastings Contemporary offers robot-assisted gallery tours. Click here to read more. More online concerts from Hastings International Piano. Click here to read more. A novelist with a punk ethic: Clive Parker-Sharp tours ConeBoy. Click here to read more.