Portal on Bournemouth beach: what we know about artwork

It comes after the families of two children who died following an incident in the sea earlier this year raised a complaint over it with BCP Council.

The mother of one of the victims called the installation "badly located and thoughtless". 

BCP Council has since issued an apology, calling it a “crass” mistake.

What is the artwork?

The 15-metre-tall structure called Portal was made by Lucid Creates.

It was put in place on Bournemouth beach to the left of Bournemouth Pier on Thursday evening and was making its world premiere in the town.

Why is it there?

Portal was installed as part of the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival.

The annual event featuring art, music and more, officially launches tonight, Friday, September 29, and runs until Sunday, October 1.

What do we know about Portal?

Portal is lined with shifting lights that create a “mesmerising and ethereal display”.

Ahead of its arrival, organisers of the festival said: “Each time the portal is viewed, it delivers a different experience”.

What happened during the incident on Bournemouth beach?

Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton and Sunnah Khan, 12, from Buckinghamshire, died following an incident off Bournemouth beach on May 31.

Multiple emergency services were called to the scene to the left of Bournemouth Pier.

The incident prompted a multi-agency emergency service response, when a total of 11 people got into difficulty in the water.

Sunnah and Joe later died in hospital despite efforts from emergency services.

Two pre-inquest reviews have so far taken place and a third has been scheduled for June 20.

A final inquest hearing is set to take place on September 23, 2024, over the course of three weeks.

What have the families said about the artwork?

In a statement, Joe’s mother Vanessa Abbess said: “As a family, we were shocked and astounded to see news reports of the disrespectful ‘Arts by the Sea’ installation at the Bournemouth beach yesterday.

Vanessa Abbess with her son, Joe (Image: Vanessa Abbess)

“The Portal of Hope was badly located and thoughtless, as it frames the area of sea where our son Joe and Sunnah Khan got into difficulties.

“In addition, it is sited on the area of beach where emergency services cared for all casualties on May 31 and the tragic circumstances unfolded.

“This is not a suitable area to celebrate the sea or to place a tourist attraction.”

Mrs Abbess added: “We emailed BCP Council, as owners of the beach, to express our distress and upset (on Thursday) evening.

“We fully appreciate that this project may have been planned for many months, but due to the tragic circumstances and ongoing inquest, we feel this is entirely unsuitable and plans could have been easily adjusted in the last 17 weeks.

“Last night, Graham Farrant (council chief executive) confirmed the installation would be immediately shut down/relocated.

“We are grateful that BCP Council have acted so quickly but feel with a little consideration and respect to Joe, Sunnah and both families, this could have been avoided.”

What has BCP Council said?

Graham Farrant, chief executive of BCP Council, said: “We are deeply sorry for such a crass mistake which clearly should never have happened.

“We have extended an unreserved apology to the families for causing further upset at what is undoubtedly already a distressing time.

“Work is underway to closed down the installation and we will review our internal processes to understand how this happened and what changes need to be made to avoid this from happening again.”

What happens now?

Portal currently remains in place on Bournemouth beach.

It is not yet known when it will be closed down.