This summer the city centre’s streets will be brightened up by bold and beautiful banners, created by local artist Ilona Drew of I Drew This.
From disco balls to Komedia’s iconic striped can-can legs, as well as cheery slogans such as ‘B RIGHT ON’ and ‘BE UNIQUE’, the artwork has been designed by Brighton designer Ilona Drew after being chosen by representatives by the 517 businesses who form Brilliant Brighton (also known as Brighton’s Business Improvement District), who each year aim to add extra colour and fun to the city centre streets, from early May through to September.
“I’ve really enjoyed exploring all the things I love about Brighton and going crazy with bold images and colours to create the banners,” artist Ilona, who lives in the city and is known for her colourful award-winning landmark prints, including Brighton Pavilion, Palace Pier and Brighton Bandstand, explains. “I think I might pop seeing them hanging above the city streets this summer!”
“To have lived in and loved Brighton for the last thirteen years, I feel so proud to have my work brightening up the streets, especially when my daughter is walking under them in the sunshine and for Pride, which can never have enough colour!”
The banners, which span the width of North Street and Western Road from early May (to signal the start of Brighton Festival and a celebratory summer of creativity), are part of Brilliant Brighton’s dressing the city campaign. This also includes cheerful bunting displayed in North Laine and The Lanes and lamp post banners on Preston Street (this year designed by Scottish artist Finlay Coupar whose work is inspired by discarded debris and celebrates pattern and colour), and stunning floral hanging baskets, arranged throughout the city centre, to brighten up the streets during the summer months for visitors, holidaymakers and residents alike to enjoy.
Ilona Drew’s Brilliant Brighton banners on Western Road
“We love dressing the city in the summer and are so excited by this year’s campaign,” Brilliant Brighton CEO Gavin Stewart says. “Ilona’s designs were chosen by the board as they were so eye-catching, bold and represent all that’s brilliant about Brighton. We hope that they put smiles on people’s faces as they pass them – whether that’s on the way to work, on a shopping trip or parading in the Children’s Parade or during Pride!”
See the Brilliant Brighton banners, designed by Ilona Drew on Western Road and North Street and bunting and lamp post displays by Finlay Coupar throughout North Laine, The Lanes and Preston Street, between now and September.
If you love Ilona’s colourful designs, she will be selling merchandise using her artwork for Brilliant Brighton, including greeting cards, coasters, magnets, tea towels, prints and finally a one-off glitter ball original painting through her stockist Present in the Laine in Gardner Street. These can also be purchased directly via emailing Ilona: info@idrewthis.co.uk.
Don’t forget to tag us and Ilona in your photos of the banners, we’d love to see them!
@Brillbrighton/ brilliant.brighton / @brilliantbrighton
T@ilonadrewthis/ ilonadrewthis/ @ilonadrewthis
