THE LOOVRE
Have you spotted the brightly coloured toilets across the Isle of Wight? These creative installations, painted by local artists, are part of our ‘Your Loo Could Save You’ campaign – designed to get people talking about bowel cancer and checking for signs and symptoms.
DOODLE
Holly Maslen from Bembridge used a sharpie to create her Doodle design. She wanted to create something eye catching and original but also detailed so people would take a closer look. Holly said: “I enjoyed working on something I wouldn’t normally think of and knowing it was for a good cause.”
You can check our Holly’s work as an artist on Instagram @maslendesigns
FLORAL
Gemma Mallinson from Ryde used a host of materials on her toilet including acrylic paint, house paint, beading, fabric, self-adhesive mirror tiles and plastic gems. She wanted to capture the idea that if you see something surprising in your toilet it might be your body trying to tell you something. She linked this to the secret language of flowers and chose meanings that resonated with this idea. She said “I think art is a great way to get people talking about things and it is wonderful to be involved in important causes as an artist.’ You can see more of Gemma’s work on her website or on Instagram @bespokeartbygemma or Facebook @Bespoke Art By Gemma.
GOLD
Nathan Holt from Freshwater used Spray paint and Posca paint pens for his toilet. He was trying to express automatism which means allowing a present moment flow to unfold with the natural lines evoking a sense of inner reflection. He said he enjoyed “having the freedom to create, knowing that it is part of a larger mission and that it has an exciting element of social art intervention.” You can see more of Nathan’s work on Instagram @nathanholt.art
CACTUS
Maddy Dobson from Cowes is known as The ‘Blind’ Artist and specialises in acrylics which she used for this project together with varnish. Maddy’s design sought to depict the beauty of the person on the outside, with bright flowers, whilst discovering hidden pain and fear of cancer through the prickly cactus on the inside. She said that “Having the visual representation of a toilet will evoke intrigue and conversation to try and reduce the stigma or embarrassment people feel when discussing bowel cancer.” You can see more of Maddy’s work on her Facebook page Art with Maddy.
HARLEY DAVIDSON
Joshua Raffell from Ryde specialises in sculpture, so he used found materials like cardboard and tiles, along with artists’ materials like waterproof tissue paper, wire, acrylic paint, willow and gaffer tape for his motorbike loo. He wanted to make a link with the Harley Davidson bowel cancer campaign, so that the campaign connected with men. He said he uses “obvious and less than obvious visuals to get people to think and be surprised” and uses “humour to draw people in.” You can see more of Joshua’s work on his website www.joshuaraffellart.com and Instagram @joshuaraffellart.
A big thank you to all our artists, Claygate & Woods Trade Supplies (who kindly donated the toilets) and to others who helped with our toilet stunt, including Island Roads, Staddlestones Garage, Creative Island, Northwood House Charitable Trust, Yarmouth Harbour Commission, Harvey Browns, Isle of Wight Council and Ventnor Town Council.
Missed seeing our toilets?
Look out for them appearing on display again soon!
Your loo could save you so don’t be in a rush to flush, look for the warning signs and contact your GP practice if you have any concerns.
