Background Bob artwork collaboration to go on display at Firstsite

Nathan Jones started helping his son paint on pieces of cardboard as a lockdown activity back in May.

After realising how much Noah, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and hydrocephalus, was enjoying using a paint brush, Mr Jones came up with an idea.

The dad-of-two put a call out on social media asking artists to complete the paintings Noah had started from their Dedham home.

To date, more than 250 artists from across the globe have sent Noah, known as “Background Bob”, their designs on top of his background pieces.

A book has been created bringing together all of the artists’ work, and the profits from sales will go to the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

Noah and his dad had hoped to showcase the artwork at the hospital.

But it became clear the exhibition had grown too large.

As regular visitors to Firstsite, in Lewis Gardens, Noah and Nathan approached the gallery to see if they could help.

An exhibition showcasing the works will go on display this autumn.

Nathan said: “It was just something to keep us busy because Noah couldn’t go to school due to coronavirus but it soon escalated from there.

“We are proud to have been offered the opportunity to display all of Noah’s collaborations. This is a big deal for us.

“We are regular visitors to Firstsite and it’s the perfect place for us to show off our stunning collection and bring a little happiness to our home town and surrounding areas.”

• Heath Kane's picture

The exhibition will feature works by some of the world’s most prominent street artists, plus members of the public and key workers.

Using a palette of vibrant colours Noah creates bold, confident abstract shapes with artists then putting their works on top.

It has seen the likes of big names such as Pez, My dog sighs, Anna Schellberg, the London Police, Pure Evil, Ange Bell, Heath Kane, along with comedian Phill Jupitus take part.

Key workers in the Colchester area have also contributed their own designs.

• Pez's picture

The paintings include wildlife, superheroes, Lego characters and tributes to Old Masters, including Ian Phenna’s take on Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Matthew Dover’s tribute to both the NHS and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Firstsite director Sally Shaw said: “We have all been really touched by what Noah and his family have set out to do and it seemed to me that Firstsite was the ideal place in which to show these collaborative paintings and tell this inspirational story.

“I think people will love seeing the exhibition, as it not only gives a platform to a local artist with disabilities but it is also very relatable, in that it captures the mood of the public during lockdown.

“The @background_bob project also brought people together, encouraging everyone to be creative, whether they identify as being an artist, or “arty”, or not.

• Leon Seesix's picture

“This is something that we do regularly here at the gallery, with exhibitions curated between our staff and members of the public, many of whom may be engaging with art and selecting artworks for a show for the first time.

“This project will leave a wonderful legacy, raising money for the NHS but also connecting all these different people together through this collective artistic response to support Noah and his idea.”

To coincide with the exhibition at Firstsite, Noah and his family have produced a book, Background Bob and his amazing friends, with all the artworks included.

It will be available to buy online from Saturday.

After the exhibition has closed, all the paintings will be available to purchase via an online auction on eBay, helping to raise funds for the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity.