ESOL Student Unveils Stunning Sir David Attenborough Mural

ESOL Level 1 student, Abraham Osorio, created a stunning giant mural of Sir David Attenborough on a new community arts centre in St Leonards last month.

Hastings-based artist, Abraham (32), produced the exceptional artwork in partnership with W.Ave Arts Bexhill who are known for creating art in derelict spaces. Abraham produced the 23ft by 20ft mural on the exterior of a brand-new community art centre in St Leonards.

Abraham’s mural has already received coverage from top news outlets both locally and nationally, including BBC News!

Speaking to the College about his stunning artwork, Abraham said, “Sir David Attenborough’s mural was first proposed to me by Carol Cook, Director of W.Ave Art. I've been painting large format portraits for 10 years, which made me feel interested in this proposal, but I had to know who I was painting. I did my research on him, and he’s definitely a person with an impressive passion for nature and its environment.

“From that moment I knew that apart from always giving my best in every job, I had to do something that the community would feel identified with and proud of, and that David's portrait would also be a reference for the new generations.”

Abraham added, “I was completely shocked when I got the news that David's portrait was in a BBC article! After two years since coming to the UK and painting many murals, knowing that my work this time was featured on the BBC where David played an important role, this made me feel proud of my work and know that my work is being well accepted.”

Following his exceptional mural depicting David Attenborough, Abraham has continued to be busy with a variety of projects, including work and exhibitions in Camden, Dungeness and De La Warr Pavilion.

“I always try to be busy painting something. I am currently painting on three projects for refugee week; social support projects in London, urban art projects, and also a retrospective of drawings and sketches in El Salvador,” said Abraham. “My head is noisy all the time thinking about what I want to do next, I am never satisfied with what I do, I always want to paint something bigger, something that impacts my artistic career and society.”

Abraham spoke to the College about his drive to continue painting and spoke highly of the support he has received from his tutor at East Sussex College.

“I’m definitely enjoying my journey so far. This has not been easy and surely it will not continue to be. Everything, no matter how beautiful it is, has its complications and my trip has not been an exception, but I have enjoyed it and I will continue doing it until I can make the last stain with my hands!”

“This stage of my life, like many others, will highlight my future. I came to this country without knowing the pronouns in English and although I arrived at East Sussex College in Hastings with very basic English, I have been impressed how my English has improved despite not being dedicated or interested in learning. Fiona [Abraham’s tutor] is definitely a person with a vocation and she knows how to find a way to make me, as a student, feel interested since she develops impressive methods of keeping my attention and making me feel comfortable.”

Abraham added, “This will undoubtedly be useful to me for the rest of my life. Also, the opportunity to make this space to talk about my work as an artist, I thank you, my tutor and East Sussex College for developing the skills of each of the students.”

If you’d like to find out more about ESOL courses at East Sussex College, please click here to visit the College website.