A local artist has been selected to paint a huge mural on an exterior wall at Edward Street Quarter, the mixed-use development coming to the former AMEX-house site in central Brighton.
Project developers First Base and the city council have commissioned classically trained painter Cosmo Sarson to deliver a vibrant addition to Brighton’s thriving street art scene.
37 artists put themselves forward for the job, but Cosmo was set apart by his experience creating large-scale urban artworks and his distinctive style – dubbed ‘classic with a twist.’
Cosmo, who lives in Hanover, is perhaps best known to Brightonians for his hand-painted ‘Angel of Brighton’ mural. The three-story fresco, which depicted a winged woman rising from the ashes against a glittering gold background, became a bit of a local landmark in the North Laine last year.
Cosmo hopes to recreate the Angel’s success with this next installation. “I’m over the moon to have got the job, especially because I live just a stone’s throw from the site,” he said. “I love Kemptown’s eclectic vibe and am really looking forward to creating an iconic landmark inspired by the neighbourhood’s fishing heritage.”
Edward Street Quarter is a £120 million redevelopment of the former AMEX House in Brighton, owned by mixed-use developer First Base and Patron Capital. Designed by BuckleyGreyYeoman. It has been inspired by Brighton’s eclectic street scene and will introduce a new high-quality public realm, with three new public spaces created by renowned landscape designers Spacehub. “We’re so pleased to be working with Cosmo on this public art installation,” said Steve Eccles, Project Director at First Base. “He took an unexpected approach to the brief and presented a contemporary, delightfully Brighton design which will brilliantly welcome visitors to Edward Street Quarter.”
Cosmo was internationally celebrated in 2013 for his giant mural of ‘Breakdancing Jesus’ which he painted opposite Banksy’s iconic ‘Mild, Mild West’ in Bristol. As a freelance scenic artist, Cosmo’s artwork can also be spotted in blockbuster films including Dumbo, The Favourite, The Avengers – Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy, Tomb Raider, and the new James Bond film currently in production.
