Swimmers
Inspired by 1930s wallpaper designs, this artwork uses traditional stencils to create bold figures, repeated on a background of blue that connects with Sidmouth's swimming culture.
This art deco style, striking and bold with a retro palette of blue, white and pink, where the swimmers, women in 1930s bathing costumes and caps seemingly soar in formation, was created for Sidmouth Wallspace.
Artist Moby Hill, influenced by his Grandfather John Hill's work, a designer who worked for the acclaimed and influential London based Green and Abbot's (1895-1938). John created among other things, wallpaper designs.
The V&A hold a collection of Green and Abbot's work Green and Abbot's Interiors V&A Collection
John Hill's wallpaper design Morning Glory the inspiration for his grandson's wallpaper artwork for Sidmouth Wallspace, is part of this collection,
Moby replicated the hand painted methods with stencils which was used in the production workshops that made his grandfather's wallpaper designs.
Moby's design also took inspiration from the billboard's particular Sidmouth location and culture, alongside the local swimming pool and beside the sea, it perfectly reflects Sidmouth as a place where swimming is part of life.
Living and working near Axminster, East Devon, Moby comes from a family of artists, designers and poets. Moby trained as a fine artist at The Camberwell School of Art and his work has been published in a number of books by poet Selima Hill.