Tenterden artist brings his unique designs to the newly-opened skatepark

mage Credits: © Matt Rowe. Courtesy F51.

Internet phenomenon and multi-million pound selling global artist, Mr Doodle has spent three days transforming the exterior of F51, the world’s first purpose built multi-storey skatepark in Folkestone.

His unique site-specific artwork is wrapped around the base of the building featuring his typical freeflow doodles including skateboards, boxing, climbing and self portraits.

Echoing the shapes in F51 itself, the main part of Mr Doodle’s artwork will be at headheight undulating like the flow park within F51 while some aspects will be higher recalling the pillars inside and how they curve upwards.

A local to the area, Mr Doodle, aka Sam Cox, was born and raised in Tenterden where, following his rapid success and global following, he continues to live and work. He was approached by Guy Hollaway, founder of Kent and London based architects Hollaway Studio who designed F51, to create the large scale artwork and was delighted to be able to add his own mark to the landmark building at the heart of Folkestone.

Hollaway Studio not only created F51 but have also been commissioned by Mr Doodle to design his own studio, which will act as a permanent embodiment of his artwork at the home he shares with his wife, Mrs Doodle, aka Alena Cox, in Tenterden.

Mr Doodle says: "I am really proud to be able to bring my doodles to such a ground breaking project in my home county of Kent. A part of Doodleworld now exists in Folkestone and I hope the local community will embrace and enjoy it!"

Creating the Mr Doodle character in January 2015 and donning the iconic doodle suit that has gone on to become his visual trademark, Cox has risen rapidly to become globally recognised, selling out his work to collectors as well as collaborating with numerous brands such as Fendi and Puma, all of whom want to become a part of DoodleWorld.

Art is an integral part of F51, recognising the frequent crossovers there are between it and the adrenaline sports housed within the building. In 2021 the team at The Sports Trust, who manage F51, put out an open call to artists to create works which would be displayed on the three different floors of the skatepark which would be a colourful and inspirational backdrop to the users of F51. The artists were given complete creative freedom to create whatever they thought would suit this unique environment. The eight artists selected represent a range of ages and backgrounds but all have a personal interest in skateboarding making them ideally suited to this unique gallery setting. The artists featured are facesorfaces; Alex Frost; Funeral French; Arran Gregory; Molly Jones (MOJO Studios); Alastair Knowles-Lenoir; Petro; and Roo.

“Creativity is instilled in the very foundations of F51 and continues to be expanded upon as one of our core values. Located in the Creative Quarter, our building acts not just as an innovative home for action sports, but as a unique art gallery in its own right. We are delighted to be joined by Mr Doodle who has gifted us with his unique and captivating artistry. Wrapping around the facade of our building, the lines of this new artwork tell a story of what to discover inside, with reference to climbing, skating and riding hidden within this explosive map of symbolism and expression. We are grateful to Mr Doodle for his generosity, ambition and style.” – Dan Hulme, Chief Executive of The Sports Trust.

Read our exclusive interview with Mr Doodle HERE