Graffiti Artists Conjured Up a Crazy Kart Creation In Tunbridge Wells Town Centre

GRAFFITI artists have put on a piece of live performance art in Tunbridge Wells this Saturday (27th) – as they conjure up a wacky creation for the upcoming Crazy Jeans Kart Race.

One of the artists, Hugh Whitaker, 21, whose colourful artwork and murals are well known throughout the town, was seen designing and decorating a soapbox kart under the Millennium Clock.

Talented Hugh agreed to lend his skill in making a unique, eye-catching kart for organisers of the June 8th event as a longtime supporter of Taylor Made Dreams – one of two charities this year’s kart race is raising money for.

The kart will be one of 40 taking part in the annual family fun day in Tunbridge Wells, which sees local businesses, organisations and residents go head to head on a specially made racetrack through the town’s Dunorlan Park.

Prior to Race Day, each team is given a basic kart to "pimp up" in any way they like before racing as fast as they can on a zany course round chicanes and over jumps - with the fastest four battling it out in The Grand Final.

As well as being keen to help promote the event, Hugh, who grew up in Tunbridge Wells and is studying illustration at London College Of Communication, agreed to take on this weekend’s challenge to satisfy his love for regenerating blank spaces and objects with spray painting while seeing the public’s reaction to his art.

Organiser Nicole Piesse Turner, whose PR firm Chatty Hatter will be racing Hugh’s skilfully designed kart down the hair-raising track, said: “We are incredibly honoured to have Hugh decorate our wacky soapbox kart and we can’t wait to see how he works his magic on Saturday.

Hugh is one of three graffiti artists known as Paint Mechanics, who have been working with each other independently for over a decade on a range of projects from murals in town centres, schools and cafes, to being hired privately to decorate everything from vehicles to bedrooms.

They also run graffiti workshops for a variety of clients, from private to corporate and educational as well as team building events and parties.

Organisers of the Crazy Jeans Kart Race, meanwhile, hope the event in its second year will raise tens of thousands pounds again for local charities.

TV chef Rosemary Shrager is returning to host the day again alongside star commentator Tom Swift of Wicked Productions.

This year funds are being raised for Hospice In The Weald and Taylor Made Dreams, a Crowborough-based charity, which enables children with life-limiting illnesses to achieve their dreams.

Aside from the charity race itself, a range of wacky family friendly activities include an inflatable village, a kids cinema, crazy golf zone, a mountain boarding and parkour wall and mini football activities.

A huge and varied food and drinks village and VIP tent has also been confirmed.

For more information, tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Crazy Jean’s Kart Race on Saturday June 8th please visit www.crazyjeansevents.com.

To discover more about Hugh Whitaker and the Paint Mechanics team see www.paintmechanics.co.uk