TORBAY WEEKLY | Festive street art boosts business in Paignton

 

 

LukeTom WebDesign director Tom Hutton with Szabotage

Businesses in Paignton have commissioned a local artist to transform their shopfronts with festive urban artwork. 

Mark Lawrence Property, Jack of all Fades, Carpet King, and LukeTom Web Design have all received a unique Christmas makeover thanks to the efforts of talented contemporary urban artist and designer, Szabotage.

Szabotage, also known as Gustav Szabo, grew up and studied architecture in Hove near Brighton before moving to London to work as an architect and designer. After relocating to Hong Kong, he quickly gained notoriety with sold-out exhibitions, solo shows, collaborative projects, and private and commercial commissions with high-profile luxury brands such as Prada and Louis Vuitton.

Now living in Preston with his wife and business partner, Hannah, Szabotage has been bringing art and colour to Torquay Road in Paignton with a series of festive designs brightening each shopfront.

The instigator of this spontaneous trail of street art with a commission of the Grinch with a mullet was Josie Jackson, owner of the barbershop Jack of all Fades.

Above: Gustav and Josie Jackson outside Jack of all Fades

“Szabotage is a client of ours, and I’ve wanted a Christmas display on the window for a while,” said Josie. 

“We have a lot of passing traffic, and I thought that it would be good to have something that people can stop and smile at.”

Josie explained that the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’ve had loads of people taking their photo with it, posting it on social media, on 'spotted' Facebook groups, and just generally saying how lovely it is.” 

She also laughed about someone asking whether she hated Christmas because she chose to depict the famously Christmas-hating Grinch. Josie reassured them that she does, in fact, love the festive period.

She added: “Szabotage is very talented, and I think that everyone should have something like this on their storefront. I think it’s going to become a bit of a ritual around here.”

 

Above: Jack of all Fades team, Josie Jackson, Scott Adams, Laura Nixon-White, Szabotage, Dan Drew

Located directly next door to Jack of all Fades, LukeTom Web Design was the second business in the area to grab the opportunity to showcase original artwork by Szabotage. 

Tom Hutton, director of LukeTom Web Design, explained that he asked Szabotage for a “Christmassy image, but with a web twist.” The result was Spiderman wearing a Christmas hat.

Tom recalled: “A lady from Germany walked past the shop and said that it was the best form of marketing that she’s ever seen in the bay.

 

Above: LukeTom Web Design shop front

“We’re placed directly beside traffic lights, so we’ve had a lot of people stopping in cars and buses to take pictures on their phones. It’s all worked quite nicely, and it's obviously good promotion for us and for the businesses in and around Preston and Paignton.”

Tom explained that the artwork is designed to be temporary, as it is applied on top of a layer of emulsion that makes it easy to remove. He is planning on removing the artwork on January 5, in keeping with tradition. 

Mark Lawrence, whose property store is currently featuring a very happy-looking Shrek wearing a Christmas hat, agreed that the commission has also benefitted his business. He said: "Szabotage is very talented, and I think you will see a lot more of him around the Bay in the near future."

Above: Szabotage outside Mark Lawrence

Sharing similar sentiments, a spokesperson for CarpetKing, who commissioned a close-up, chubby-cheeked Santa, said: “His work is brilliant and certainly brings more attention and fun to shop windows, which is great for promoting business’ as well as putting a smile on people's faces. We will definitely be using him again. From all staff at CarpetKing, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Above: CarpetKing shop front

Szabotage and Hannah have expressed their gratitude for the snowballing of enquiries, as the additional business has come at a time of concerns around the financial viability of their business. They have since received artwork enquiries from local schools and are keen to continue using their art to help local businesses and people.

They have since had some artwork enquiries from local schools and are keen to continue using their art to help local businesses and people. 

“I’m so grateful for the incredible support from shop owners, the local community, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved. Torbay is an amazing place to live, and I’m proud to celebrate its vibrancy and spirit through my art. I’m already looking forward to painting more next year—and trust me, there’s more to come. Watch out for Easter, and Merry Christmas!"

You can find out more at www.szabotage.co.uk and follow their Instagram and Facebook @szabotage.me.

https://www.torbayweekly.co.uk/news/home/1679415/festive-street-art-boosts-business-in-paignton.html