This vibrant artwork has been installed to brighten up the seafront and showcase the area’s rich and varied heritage while Alum Chine Cloisters are unsafe for public access.

A celebration of old and new

This piece depicts a variety of themes relating to the local area. Each ‘tile’ design showcases a different aspect of Alum Chine. Local pastimes like bowls, racquet sports and beach activities feature throughout. Key architectural and historical buildings and structures are also given a spotlight, including he Chine’s famous bridges. The artwork also gives a nod to Bournemouth as a travel destination and its global shipping links.

Some lesser known history is also shared in this artwork. Alum Chine got its name from the alum mining which took here in the 16th century and 17th centuries. Alum is a fixative that was used in dyeing, tanning and painting.

The mural also depicts the iconic suspension bridge, built in 1903, and contextualises the chine as a location for health and wellbeing throughout the decades into the modern day. Robert Louis Stevenson’s home, Skerryvore, is also shown in the artwork. This house, sited at the top of the Chine towards Westbourne, is where he wrote one of his most famous works, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, published in 1886. Though the house no longer stands, due to a German air raid, Skerryvore Gardens can still be visited, along with the sculpture of a lighthouse that inspired the name of Skerryvore.

The artists

Studio Studio is a creative studio based in central Bournemouth, made up of Bridie Cheeseman, an illustrator and muralist who combines detailed, often historical narrative within playful and vibrant imagery, and Jake Williams, an illustrator, designer and animator who brings bold ideas to life through lively, characterful design.

For this project, Bridie and Jake worked with the rich background and stories of Alum Chine, translating this history and local landscape into vibrant, tile-based designs. Their work draws on the chine’s unique past, natural beauty and wildlife, and local activities.

Visiting the artwork

This piece is just west of where Alum Chine meets the promenade. It’s viewable from the promenade, hard surface, and is accessible (though please note that after windy or stormy weather there can be a lot of sand built up on the promenade). It is very close to a car park, refreshments, seating, and public toilets.

You can find it on a map using What3Words: ///ripe.purely.create