Music, Art, and Charity Meet: DJ Fatboy Slim Inaugurates ‘Shaun by the Sea’

Music, Art, and Charity Meet: DJ Fatboy Slim Inaugurates ‘Shaun by the Sea’

The Unveiling of Shaun by the Sea

Noted DJ, Fatboy Slim, born Norman Cook, recently launched an art trail featuring 42 uniquely designed statues of Shaun the Sheep in Brighton and Hove. The statues, painted by local artists, are strategically placed across different locations, including the seafront, Hove Lagoons, and the Amex Stadium. The public art exhibition, dubbed ‘Shaun by the Sea’, was initiated by Cook, who undertook the challenge of walking the entire trail in a single day.

A Trail for a Cause

The project, set to run until November 5th, has a noble cause at its heart – raising funds for the Hove hospice Martlets. Cook, an ambassador for the charity, has a personal connection with the hospice as his father-in-law spent his last days there. “They do such a good job, and it’s such a difficult but beautiful thing that they do,” Cook said, thereby encouraging people to donate and support the hospice during the trail period.

A Marathon of Art

Walking the trail was no easy task, as Cook noted, “Walking around them is like walking a marathon.” But the challenge did not deter the DJ. He was joined by a host of notable personalities on a half-marathon to visit the sculptures. Among them were the chairman of Albion, Tony Bloom, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, Ed Wills, and a range of artists who designed some of the sculptures. The journey, dubbed the “Bleat Sleep Graze Repeat” fundraiser, started from the Pepper Pot in Hanover at 9 am and ended at the Big Beach Cafe at around 6 pm.

A Repeat of History

This is not Cook’s first involvement in such an initiative. In 2018, he completed a trail of the city’s snail sculptures, visiting all 50 sculptures over 12 hours. His commitment to the Shaun by the Sea project and Martlets is an extension of his past involvement in similar causes. His dedication is not just to the art but also to the artists as he mentioned, “When I do it, a lot of the artists come out to meet me, which helps bring it more to life.”

The Impact of Shaun by the Sea

Shaun by the Sea is not merely an art exhibition; it’s a celebration of community and a platform for local artists. Additionally, it aims to bring people closer in the spirit of joy and connection while raising funds to support the vital work of Martlets. The project also provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the richly diverse communities of Brighton and Hove.

Looking Forward

While the current Shaun by the Sea project runs until November, the future holds more promise. A new Shaun the Sheep trail, featuring 50 uniquely designed sculptures, is set to come to Brighton and Hove in Autumn 2023, making the city a canvas for public art once again.