Ryde Phone Box Transformed With New Artwork For Island-Wide Festival

A former telephone box in Ryde has been given a new lease of life with an art installation inspired by the town's role in an Island-wide cultural celebration.

The artwork has been created by local artist Steve Miles and is now on display on Lind Street.

Miles was selected following an open call launched earlier this year by Creative Island and Re:Box - the Island’s smallest art gallery - which asked artists to produce work reflecting the themes of the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme.

His installation draws inspiration from New Carnival's Folktastic Isle Green Giant and Shademakers' Ship of Hope, while focusing on the Ryde celebrations.

CAN YOU HEAR US? is a six-week programme of creativity and culture taking place across the Isle of Wight from September 11 to October 24.

It includes exhibitions, theatre, music, carnival, public art, nature projects and events taking place in communities across the Island.

Project Producer Jo Ridley said the collaboration between Re:Box and Steve Miles was an example of the type of creative project the programme was intended to support.

Re:Box operates from a former Kiosk No.6 red telephone box on Lind Street.

The box was bought by Ryde Town Council for £1 through BT's Adopt a Kiosk scheme before being handed over to local artists Anmarie Bowler and Zoë Barker.

The pair converted the decommissioned phone box into a small gallery, which is illuminated at night to create a stained-glass effect.

Re:Box receives funding from Ryde Town Council and continues to provide a space for local artists to display their work.

Artists interested in exhibiting can contact Re:Box by email or through its Facebook page.