HOLLIE’S ART SURPRISE
MOVE over Banksy, because all eyes are currently on a nondescript wall at a Bridgend primary school which has just been covered with a giant Lego Man and heartshaped balloon.
Painted by international street artist Ame72, there is no political message behind the artwork.
Rather, it has been done as a tribute to an amazing little girl who has battled cancer, raised awareness of those living with Down’s syndrome and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
Hollie Evans, 11, just loves Lego, said her mum Hayley.
While the Litchard Primary School pupil has no idea just how famous the artist is, she is in no doubt about the artwork being for her.
The Lego character on the wall of her school has a letter H on the sleeve, for Hollie, and a small gift was left for her underneath it.
“Hollie absolutely loves Lego,” said Mrs Evans, who contacted the artist on social media to tell him about her daughter.
“I messaged him asking if he would consider doing something on her behalf because the school have just been so amazing in their support for Hollie while she has been there.
“He messaged back saying yes, he would give it some thought.”
She did check with the headmaster at the school to make sure he was OK with graffiti art appearing mysteriously on the walls, but he was fine with it, she said.
Ame72 goes all over the world for his artwork, with some of his more recent work appearing in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Los Angeles.
On March 9, Ame72 messaged Mrs Evans to say she should head to the school with Hollie because he had “left her a surprise”.
That’s when they discovered the giant Lego figure. At the base was a small wrapped canvas of one of Ame’s paintings, with Hollie’s name on it.
Most of Ame’s works sell for more than £1,000, said Mrs Evans, who was overwhelmed by the generous gesture.
Work by the international artist – real name James Ame – recently appeared in Port Talbot to join the town’s famous Banksy graffiti art .
“Hollie loves it, she knows its her Lego man and she is really proud of it,” she said.
A couple of days later Ame posted his work on Instagram with the message: “A little thank you from Hollie for all the support the staff and kids have given her.”
The work is a colourful tribute in support of Hollie’s mission to raise positive awareness of Down’s syndrome, and to thank her school for their support before she leaves in the summer.
Mrs Evans said: “It’s Hollie’s last year at Litchard Primary, and the kindness shown by everyone at the school has definitely left its mark on Hollie so it will be an emotional day when she leaves.
“It’s lovely to think that this artwork will remain at the school as a fantastic legacy of her time there.”
Deputy headteacher at the school, Daley Richards, said: “It really is a wonderful gesture and will serve as a constant reminder to us of Hollie and the brilliant philosophy that we wouldn’t change a thing.
“Thanks James Ame, you have made a lot of young children smile this week.”
Hollie, who overcame leukemia as a baby, is a well-known campaigner for raising awareness of Down’s syndrome.
Earlier this year, Hollie showed just how far she had come, with an inspirational 10-year-challenge post on Facebook.
Thursday is World Down’s Syndrome Day and Hollie will be starring in the Wouldn’t Change a Thing campaign video that is aiming to go viral to make outdated perceptions of the genetic condition a thing of the past.
She also recently joined other children with Down’s syndrome and their families to sit next to Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on the This Morning sofa to talk about the campaign.
In recognition of her charity work so far, Hollie’s kindness will also be recognised by Bridgend council when she receives a Mayor’s Citizenship Award on Friday.
Hollie will join a dozen other outstanding citizens who are being rewarded for their amazing contribution to the local community.