Eastbourne artist transforms Hampden Park wall with environmental mural

An Eastbourne artist has a transformed an old wall into a spectacular mural called Fragile World.

Tanya-Lisa Parsons, who is also known on social media as Jewl, has painted a striking image she describes as ‘a fragile world suspended in the void of space’. The mural can be found on the big wall of the old changing rooms in the park, facing the sports fields.

Eastbourne Borough Council gave permission for the mural following her request.

Speaking of her inspiration for the art project, Tanya said, “We are running out of time to save our planet. We can all make a difference by taking action – future generations depend on it.”

Her Hampden Park mural, which features glow-in-the-dark paint, is already turning the heads of park-users.

A local school has showed pictures of her work in their online assembly and is bringing pupils to the park to view the artwork first-hand.

Prior to Covid-19, Tanya volunteered with East Sussex Recovery Alliance at Café North to run an art class called Addicted2Art - the class helped people recovering from drug addiction.

Tanya said, “I used to suffer with dependency issues but being able to inspire others through my work is the biggest high of all.

“Having this has been a useful stop gap and still enables me to get my message out there.”

Tanya has also helped the organisation Bhassexplore, which removes rubbish along the coastline from Cuckmere Haven to Holywell, and made a life-size mermaid from some of the debris collected.

Councillor Margaret Bannister, cabinet member for tourism and enterprise, said, “Tanya has breathed fresh life into this drab space using her artistic talents and I encourage anyone visiting the park to go and see her mural.

“It bears a powerful message about caring for our world and is a real asset to Hampden Park.”

Anyone wanting to keep up with Tanya can go to her Facebook page ‘Paint-Hearted’ and her Instagram is @lady_jewl.