PRESS
“Working independently with the press & the client to get key messages out there. Creating my own press releases, having good relationships and ensuring there is a strong message behind the artwork to be promoted. Whether it’s a human rights issue, a conservation issue or simply a fun community initiative; an S.o.S Mural has added value which tells an engaging story”
LIKE A BAT OUT OF HAY, SOS creates Artwork on haybales
21st August 2023
ART FOR SOCIAL IMPACT AND CHANGE
TOM OLDHAM PHOTOGRAPHS SOS IN BANKSY TUNNEL
LATEST NEWS
“HUMAN NATURE HOSTS ARTWAVE COMMUNITY COLLABORATION IN LEWES”
“As part of the Lewes district-wide Artwave festival, we welcomed members of the public to view and interact with art created in collaboration with Sarah Gillings, IAMSOS. On the theme of Hopeful Futures, the Year 9 students from Priory School worked in tandem with Sarah to create the detailed and thoughtful mural. Using eco-friendly paints and curated stencils, the provoking piece came to life.”
“COASTAL OFFICE TRANSFORMATION CELEBRATES LOCAL MARINE LIFE”
“The Coastal Office building on Worthing seafront is set to be transformed into a native underwater kelp kingdom. Local, multi-award-winning artist Sarah Gillings MA, also known as S.o.S, will be bringing her brand of powerful and stunning visuals to the beach later this week. The design, featuring creatures and sea habitats found in our waters, will cover the outside walls of the building, making it more eye-catching for Worthing seafront visitors, while sharing a glimpse into the underwater world just below the waves…”
“THE COASTAL OFFICE BUILDING ON WORTHING SEAFRONT IS SET TO BE TRANSFORMED…”
“The improvements made to the seafront office aim to raise local awareness to the Help Our Kelp campaign and show the Council's commitment to protecting our local inshore waters. The Coastal Office team have plenty of activities on offer for people of all ages visiting the beach, with equipment to lend out for beach cleaning, beach combing activity backpacks for children, as well as a small native marine life tank, known as 'Rockpool Reef', which shows the richness of the waters off the Sussex coast and can now be visited inside.”
Supporting a rewilding campaign
HELP OUR KELP
“CUBICLE ON BOGNOR BEACH TURNED INTO DAZZLING SEASIDE MURAL”
“Ms Gillings said she is routinely inspired by the natural world, that her work has an environmentalist bent because the world itself is already so beautiful: “Painting insects and that sort of thing in large scale made me really passionate about the environment because you have to look at the structure of the actual creature and they’re just incredible but we take them all for granted. So now I’m getting much more involved in doing things that have a meaning or a link to a campaign…”
“COASTAL OFFICE TRANSFORMATION CELEBRATES LOCAL MARINE LIFE”
“The Coastal Office building on Worthing seafront is set to be transformed into a native underwater kelp kingdom. Local, multi-award-winning artist Sarah Gillings MA, also known as S.o.S, will be bringing her brand of powerful and stunning visuals to the beach later this week. The design, featuring creatures and sea habitats found in our waters, will cover the outside walls of the building, making it more eye-catching for Worthing seafront visitors, while sharing a glimpse into the underwater world just below the waves…”
“THE COASTAL OFFICE BUILDING ON WORTHING SEAFRONT IS SET TO BE TRANSFORMED…”
“The improvements made to the seafront office aim to raise local awareness to the Help Our Kelp campaign and show the Council's commitment to protecting our local inshore waters. The Coastal Office team have plenty of activities on offer for people of all ages visiting the beach, with equipment to lend out for beach cleaning, beach combing activity backpacks for children, as well as a small native marine life tank, known as 'Rockpool Reef', which shows the richness of the waters off the Sussex coast and can now be visited inside.”
“ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND TRAWL FISHING TO KELP FORESTS ALONG SUSSEX COAST”
“A new mural, reflecting the fish and plants found in the sea off the Sussex coast, is highlighting the need to preserve sea life. Created by artist Sarah Gillings, the artwork depicts the underwater kelp forests, that stretch from Rye to Chichester. It has been painted on one of Adur and Worthing District Council's offices in Worthing. Sarah Gillings, Artist, said: "In the street and in the urban setting I think it's a lovely reminder for us about all the nature that we are losing.”
I was commissioned by the local authority after I submitted my tender to design and paint the Worthing Council Seafront Office. The main object is to raise awareness of the Help Our Kelp campaign, which is the rewinding of a huge amount of the south coasts’ kelp forests. Also a trawler exclusion zone is being introduced in order to support the eco system to re establish the fish and under sea wildlife populations…
VIEW PROJECT
WORTHING SEAFRONT OFFICE
Including the public in the process
SOUTH EAST WATER - HOLYWELL BEACH
“CLIFF TOP GRAFFITI GATE IS TO BE TURNED INTO A STUNNING MURAL.”
“The design was chosen by the local community, who wanted the Sussex-native Spiked Rampion Flower and fox in the work. Eastbourne Councillor, Josh Babarinde, says he doesn't think the gate will be defaced with graffiti because of an understanding among street artists. He says: "We've had murals done in different parts across town on walls that may have been in bad shape before and the great thing, is once there's new life breathed into them by street artists, other street artists respect that..."
“ARTIST FROM BRIGHTON COMMISSIONED TO REPLACE THE TAGS WITH A MURAL…”
“ARTIST TRANSFORMS GRAFFITI-RIDDEN GATES AT SUSSEX BEAUTY SPOT”
“An award-winning street artist is calling on Eastbourne residents to help decide what wildlife should adorn a gate which has been defaced by graffiti. The call comes from Sussex-based Sarah Gillings, also known as S.O.S, who has been commissioned by South East Water to paint a mural to revamp the site. Members of the community are being urged to say what they would like painted on the gate at one of the water company’s sites in Holywell, East Sussex…”
“A cliff top gate on the Sussex coast which was covered in graffiti has been transformed into a stunning piece of art. Images of wildflowers and animals have been painted over the tags on the structure at Holywell near Eastbourne. "Doing nature in large scale which is what I love doing, she says. "It really gives it the wow factor because people come round the corner and they can see the fox looking out to sea and you know it also blends in really well. I've picked the colours really carefully to blend with the local foilage as well…”
Raising Awareness to Gender based Violence
ALICE AGAINST FGM
“FEMME FIERCE 2015 TURNS THE LEAKE STREET TUNNEL BLUE”
“The much anticipated Femme Fierce returned for 2015 to the thoroughfare known as Leake Street underneath Waterloo station. This was the second year running and transformed it into a sea of murals. Artists ranging from young beginners to some of the Worlds very best took part. A legal graffiti spot, the tunnel was made famous in 2008 when Banksy hosted the first of his infamous CANS festivals. It was this that led to its designation as a free space for artists to paint and which set the scene as the go to place for the Femme Fierce festivities.…”
“FEMME FIERCE: RELOADED! 2015”
“Shouldn’t little girls lose themselves in fairy tales rather than to be confronted with the brutality of adults? This piece by S.o.S. is not about Alice getting lost in Wonderland, but it’s about young girls of her age falling victim to FGM (female genital mutilation). According to Plan UK 130 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM and every year approximately 65,000 girls in the UK are at risk!.…”
“FEMME FIERCE RELOADED 2015 – PART TWO”
“The Femme Fierce event was not just about the aesthetics of street art murals by women but also to raise money, and much needed awareness, for PlanUk…Because I am a girl campaign. This campaign works to stop violence against women and girls, with a focus on ending FGM and child marriage . These issues are still being experienced by too many vulnerable girls all over the world today. PlanUk fights for their rights…”
WITH ALICE AGAINST GENITAL MUTILATION
Gillings uses bare walls to draw attention to the issue. For her, her work is about enabling a change of perspective. A government employee sees a situation differently than an NGO representative or someone directly affected, she said at an event organized by the Stop FGM platform
“UK’S LARGEST ALL FEMALE STREET ARTIST FESTIVAL”
Lest you forget–don’t worry I won’t let you–8th of March is International Women’s Day. Last year the Femme Fierce a was in the exact same spot, trying to break the Guinness World record for a mural done by multiple artists. (Yeah, I still have no idea if they got the record or not.) They painted the walls pink because the “girls” were using the event to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. The festival has a subtitle (subtext?), anyway: Femme Fierce: Leake Street All Girl Take Over. Leake Street (tunnel) is also known as Banksy tunnel. Banksy has been accused, perhaps falsely, of suggesting that graffiti is an all male art. Hence the significance of the subtitle.
“FEMMEFIERCEUK: A FEMALE STREET ART FESTIVAL.”
“Events like these are breaking down the stereotype of Street Art being a male dominated field. Women, more than ever are making their mark in this field in their own way and trying to break through any barriers. FemmeFierceUK, put on an amazing event, celebrating female street artist, with a large crowd in attendance on International Woman’s Day in Bansky Tunnel on the famous Leake Street in London. This is a designated legal area for street art. It was a fun day out, with both adults and kids in attendance..…”
HELP STOP FGM WITH PLAN INTERNATIONAL
“Around the world, including here in the UK, girls still don’t have equal rights – and that has to change. That’s why we’re standing with young people as they campaign on the issues that matter most to them, from child marriage and trafficking to street harassment and sexual exploitation at work.”
Making Community Projects come alive
SALTDEAN TUNNEL
My conservation projects aim to increase awareness, appreciation and action in support of the local environment was exactly my aim for the commissioned pieces at The Saltdean Tunnel, and also the WC refurbishment.
Below are just a few examples of positive press about the project.
The BBC came to film the Saltdean Tunnel and after its completion it was on National TV
THE EVOLUTION OF STREET ART
While art shown indoors may have temporarily lost its audience to the pandemic, street art is on the rise. Here, Hazel Davis reflects on how the medium is growing ever more part of the art establishment, yet can still be used as a force for change
“REJUVENATION OF 'NEGLECTED' SALTDEAN TUNNEL”
“A Crowdfunder campaign called Saltdean Tunnel Refurb has been started to raise money to enable the renovation to be carried out. It has currently collected more than £875 and has 44 days remaining to hit its target of £6,000 – £4,000 for the mural, £1,500 for the sign and £500 for the community noticeboard…”
“UPLIFTING STREET ART MURAL ON NEGLECTED SALTDEAN WC’S”
“Well known for her mural in the Brighthelm Gardens and social change art in The Banksy Tunnel, ‘S.o.S’ aka Sarah Gillings creates art that makes a difference. As an award-winning Sussex artist, Sarah has unveiled a brand-new nature-themed mural…”
“SALTDEAN TUNNEL MURAL IS READY FOR VIEWING”
“The concept was to create the experience of being underwater with the many types of sea life we would find around British waters. The overall aim of the two local artists was to create a 360-degree immersive experience that the viewer feels part of rather than a scene to look at and feel detached from..”
“LATEST TV SPEAKS TO ART DIRECTOR SARAH GILLINGS”
Latest TV News Editor, Mark Walker, speaks to Sarah Gillings, an inclusive art director, about some murals she has completed around the theme of endangered and local wildlife. Sarah discusses her inspiration as well as her recent projects.
“LOCAL SUSSEX ARTIST UNVEILS UPLIFTING STREET ART MURAL”
“Well known for her mural in the Brighthelm Gardens and social change art in The Banksy Tunnel, ‘S.o.S’ aka Sarah Gillings creates art that makes a difference. As an award-winning Sussex artist, Sarah has unveiled a brand-new nature-themed mural.”
“SALTDEAN TUNNEL TRANSFORMED”
“AN UNLOVED tunnel is unrecognisable after a team of artists transformed the site with a new mural.
What was once a brick-lined walkway is now a trip into the deep blue after a successful community campaign to refurbish the Saltdean Tunnel.”
WE CAN DO IT
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
“INSPIRING MURALS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY”
“Multimedia artist Sarah Gillings launched a specially-designed mural project, donating her skills to anyone with free wall space and willing to participate. Miss Gillings said she received an ‘exceptional’ response, from London Road’s Open Market to Hanover residents wanting to get involved. “It’s something that’s really close to my heart and I wanted to give back,” said Miss Gillings, in response to International Women’s Day (March 8), an annual celebration for the movement of women’s rights across the world.”
“13 WOMEN IN BRIGHTON”
“13 WOMEN is a ground breaking curated art exhibition showcasing the unique works of 13 talented female artists from all backgrounds. Designed to inspire and engage you in a very personal way by featuring each woman’s (extra)ordinary story. Each woman has transformed her own world through art, or embraced creativity in order to restore a vital balance in her life, and this is reflected through the artists’ works on display.”
Photo credit - Hughfox.co.uk
“I LOVE ART PRESENTS 13 WOMEN 1ST - 15TH MARCH”
“The event was super well-attended and featured a fair few fabulous Brighton arty eccentrics. I wish I'd snapped a few pics. I think the decision to have speakers, poetry readings and other performances was probably a bit of an odd call, as most of people wanted to mingle and chat. Although I definitely fell into the category of chatterer, I did feel for the speakers trying to compete with the general social hubbub.”
“13 WOMEN’ CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY”
“Following the success of the ’13 Women’ exhibition staged by I Love Art UK in Brighton during 2012, this popular event returns to the Jubilee Library to coincide with International Women’s Day. This year as well as 13 female artists, the exhibition also features 13 men! With the theme of ‘Transition’, the 2013 event will have an extended line-up encompassing international artists, as well as the 13 male participants.”
“13 WOMEN NEW ART EXHIBITION AT JUBILEE LIBRARY”
“Paintings, photography, poetry and ceramics make up this unique collection with each artist exploring the many sides of being a woman. since the exhibition opened at the beginning of the month, each artist has been a personal appearance, allowing visitors to ask questions and delve deeper into the individuals artistic process.”
LATEST TV FEATURING MURAL BY IAMSOS
“The artistic side of Brighton came out in celebrations of International Women's Day. While Sarah Gillings was creating a dynamic powerful piece of art now visible on Madeira Drive. 1BTN radio was taken over by a full day female DJ set and interviews.I popped in to ask what this day means for them.”
VISIT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SECTION ON MY WEBSITE
Interventions, murals and research studies are excellent methods to explore and to raise awareness to human rights issues such a gender equality, gender based violence, the pay gap…
“Last year, an exhibition called ‘13 Women’ was staged by ‘I Love Art UK’ at Brighton’s Jubilee Library. It was an all-female affair and the exhibition was so successful it is running again this year with one, significant difference – it will include blokes. Grant, who is one of the male artists taking part, said: “This popular event celebrates the rise of gender equality world-wide and as well as 13 female artists it also features 13 men.”
“JODIE MARSH-INSPIRED ART AT BRIGHTON EXHIBITION”
“Achieve and Believe, from Boudicca to Jodie Marsh is by Hove-based Sara Abbott – one of more than a dozen female artists featured in the new 13 Women exhibition. The exhibition at Jubilee Library, Brighton, marks International Women’s Day, will run until March 15.”
“NUMBER 13 IS LUCKY FOR GRANT”
CORPORATE AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
“STUDENTS CREATE MURAL ARTWORK FOR QUEEN’S JUBILEE”
“Mural artwork by second-year graphic design students from UCA Epsom will go on display in and around Epsom town centre this week, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. To mark the Queen’s 70th year on the throne, Epsom Go – a non-profit organisation that aims to strengthen the town’s appeal - asked the students to create vibrant, unexpected, and colourful mural artwork that celebrates Her Majesty, her interests, and her long reign.”
“EPSOM IN BLOOM WINS SILVER”
“Once again Epsom In Bloom has won Silver at this years South & South East in Bloom competition. The South & South East in Bloom campaign is the largest horticultural campaign in the region involving 100’s communities each year. Participating communities create lasting improvements to their local environment for the benefit of those that live, work and visit.”
“EPSOM & EWELL WIN SILVER AWARDS”
“It has been announced that Epsom and Ewell have both won silver in the annual South & South East in Bloom competition. Stoneleigh was awarded a commendation in this year’s competition. This is the first year that Ewell has taken part in the competition and the second consecutive year that Epsom has won a silver award.”
“CAPTURING CONTEMPORARY MURAL ARTIST”
“This is hands down one of my favourite shoots. Capturing contemporary mural artist Sarah Gillings in her element yesterday at Eastbourne seafront. Sarah breaks the stereotypes about street artists. She's female. She's not in her 20s. She's the founder of a Street Art charity. She's an activist. And she's so blinking talented…”
Photo credit: Beth Wild Photography
“ A PHENOMENAL CONTEMPORARY MURAL ARTIST AND ACTIVIST”
“Sarah Gillings is so inspirational. A phenomenal contemporary mural artist and activist. I love who she is and what she does. I recently photographed her in operation with a dedicated team of volunteers fundraising at a festival for her charity U CAN Spray…
Photo credit: Beth Wild Photography
“YOUNG ARTISTS BRIGHTEN UP A DULL SUBWAY.”
The project hopes to encourage people to experience the outdoors by creating “inspiring and uplifting art and to bring joy and hope to residents and visitors during these uncertain and frightening times. After creating a digital vision of the mural, Sarah spray paints freehand before adding layers of waterproof paint and a graffiti-proof wipe-clean covering…”
“DECK THE HALLS BRINGS SKATEBOARD ART TO CONCLAVE”
“At the centre of a lively programme of community events is an art exhibition featuring 20 artists showing their original artworks created on skateboard decks. A multitude of approaches have been taken to working creatively directly onto the decks from painting and drawing, to screen-printing, carving, 3D modelling, collage, and – of course – the odd bit of spray paint. Local favourites such as Phil Lawson, Cassette Lord, Michelle Mildenhall, Mypenleaks and Dave Pop! feature in the show among others.”
“GRADUATE ENTREPRENEUR: SARAH GILLINGS, FOUNDER OF U CAN SPRAY”
“U CAN Spray CIO is the UK’s first dedicated spray-painting charity. Through unique spray-painting workshops and public artwork projects, we inspire and engage disengaged people from all backgrounds into free cultural and therapeutic experiences through spray-painting. Our beneficiaries are anyone who is disengaged from society for reasons beyond their control…”
“COMMUNITY ART PROJECT UNDERWAY IN HOLYWELL”
The call comes from Sussex-based Sarah Gillings – also known as S.O.S – who has been commissioned by South East Water to paint a mural to revamp the site. Members of the community are being urged to say what they would like painted on the gate at one of the water company’s sites in Holywell, East Sussex.”
“SOUTH EAST WATER UNVEILS HOLYWELL MURAL”
“A stunning mural depicting a fox which has replaced graffiti on the clifftop in Holywell, East Sussex, will wow passers-by. The piece was designed and created by award-winning street artist Sarah Gillings, who worked in partnership with South East Water to revamp a defaced gate. Residents were asked to vote on what they would like to see painted and an overwhelming majority opted for a fox amid some local wildflowers.”
Winning an Award from Number 10 Downing St
POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD
“‘U CAN SPRAY’ HAS HELPED OVER 600 LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE”
“Sarah Gillings, from Sussex, is a professional artist who founded 'U CAN Spray', the first dedicated spray-painting charity that works with disengaged young people who are not in education or employment to inspire them through the medium of street art. Sarah runs workshops with local councils and community groups and has helped over 600 young people aged 16-24 to design murals and express themselves through spray-paint…”
“ARTIST 'THRILLED' AFTER RECEIVING AWARD FROM PM”
“Sarah Gillings, founder of U Can Spray – which aims to make social change through spray-painting, said she was ‘thrilled’ after receiving a letter from the PM. She said: “I’m so thrilled that my time and vision over the years founding U CAN Spray, has been recognised by the Prime Minister. U CAN Spray charity has the potential to grow nationally into a life-changing experience which supports young people through arts as a vocation…”
Raising the profile of Saltdean
SALTDEAN WC’s
“SUSSEX ARTIST UNVEILS UPLIFTING STREET ART MURAL ON NEGLECTED SALTDEAN WCS”
“The neglected WC toilet block adjacent to the Saltdean tunnels was in desperate need of energizing and Sarah was commissioned to bring it back to life in the areas second phase of community funded regeneration led by local resident David Wilson and Bridget Fishleigh, Brighton & Hove's only independent councillor. As people need to experience the outdoors more and more, emphasis has been focussed into creating inspiring and uplifting art…”
“NEW LOOK FOR SUSSEX HIGH STREET BLIGHTED BY EMPTY SHOPS”
“The council went into action and launched its mural project with help from staff from fellow supermarket chain Sainsbury’s; Sussex Clubs for Young People, who provide youth sessions in the village, and Sussex artist Sarah Gillings of U CAN Spray who came up with a flora and fauna design. A two-day painting session featuring youngsters on half-term and Sainsbury’s staff took place this week.…”
“SALTDEAN TOLIET BLOCK TRANSFORMED WITH COLOURFUL MURAL”
The project hopes to encourage people to experience the outdoors by creating “inspiring and uplifting art and to bring joy and hope to residents and visitors during these uncertain and frightening times. After creating a digital vision of the mural, Sarah spray paints freehand before adding layers of waterproof paint and a graffiti-proof wipe-clean covering…”
COMMUNITY MURALS
“NEW LOOK FOR SUSSEX HIGH STREET…”
“The council went into action and launched its mural project with help from staff from fellow supermarket chain Sainsbury’s; Sussex Clubs for Young People, who provide youth sessions in the village, and Sussex artist Sarah Gillings of U CAN Spray who came up with a flora and fauna design.”
“BOGNOR TOWN CENTRE TRANSFORMED…”
“The partnership between Sussex Clubs for Young People and U CAN Spray CIO saw young people from The 39 Club spray paint the hoardings next to the Three shop in London Road last week. The project was led by Sarah Gillings, a newly-appointed director on the board of trustees for Sussex Clubs for Young People and founder of U CAN Spray.”
“BOGNOR’S BEST INSTAGRAM SPOTS”
“I love taking nice photos and sharing them on Instagram, and have read many a blog about great spots to take photos in places I’ve visited like Los Angeles, New York and London. However, I wanted to fly the flag for good old Bognor’s best Instagram spots as there are some great places in the local area, some quirky landmarks and some really cool angles which are worth sharing.”
“The setting sun cast a magical warmth on everything, and - at least if you stood back a bit - it made the seafront buildings look almost attractive. Some spray-painted hoardings caught my eye.”
“COLOURFUL INSTALLATIONS SET TO ATTRACT VISITORS”
“From giant flip flops to a colourful picnic area, Bognor Regis BID has been making the town more eye catching in the last couple of weeks.”
Photo: Steve Robards SR2107061
