Bournemouth Beach Artwork to Stay After Family Consultation

Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council have made a poignant reversal of their initial decision, announcing that the “Portal of Hope” installation will remain in place on Bournemouth Beach until the conclusion of the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival. This decision comes after initially planning to remove the artwork following a complaint from one of the victim’s mothers.

The artwork, a striking 15-meter-high mirrored archway, had come under scrutiny when Vanessa Abbess, the mother of 17 year old Joe Abbess from Southampton, expressed her concerns about its location. The tragic incident occurred on 31 May when Joe Abbess and 12 year old Sunnah Khan from High Wycombe lost their lives in the waters near the installation.

Vanessa Abbess had argued that the artwork’s positioning was “disrespectful” as it framed the area where her son and Sunnah Khan encountered difficulties, making it an unsuitable spot for celebration or tourism.

However, on Friday evening, the BCP Council had a change of heart. They decided to keep the Portal installation in place after engaging in a discussion with the families of both victims. In a joint statement issued in collaboration with the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival, the council expressed deep sorrow for any distress caused and offered apologies to the grieving families.

The statement read, “We remain deeply sorry for the upset the positioning of this installation has caused and apologise once again for any further distress experienced by the families of Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan. After speaking with the families, it has been agreed that the installation will remain on Bournemouth Beach as planned. As a mark of respect, the audio and lighting of Portal were switched off on Friday night.”

The statement also addressed comments made by BCP Council chief executive Graham Farrant, who had previously apologised to the families for what he referred to as a “crass mistake” in installing the artwork. It clarified that the term “crass” was specifically in reference to the location of the artwork and not the artwork itself.

Vanessa Abbess had criticised the council for not relocating the artwork. In response, Mr. Farrant announced that the council would conduct an internal review to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.

In addition to these developments, an inquest into the deaths of Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan has been opened, with a full hearing expected to take place in September 2024.

The decision to retain the Portal installation for the duration of the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival signifies a compromise that aims to respect the memories of the two young individuals who tragically lost their lives while paying tribute to the artistry of the installation itself.