Young Essex artist Background Bob returns with a brand-new exhibition, showcasing over 200 stunning artworks by leading international street and graffiti artists, tattooists, sculptors and fine artists. From dinosaurs, wildlife, and comic book figures to familiar faces from TV, music and film – see an uplifting collection of imaginative creations, each on vibrant backgrounds painted by @background_bob.

With its title taking inspiration from hip hop legend Eminem’s hit ‘Without Me’, the exhibition ‘guess who’s back!’ is part of a project that began during first UK lockdown in spring 2020, when Colchester-based artist Noah – AKA @background_bob – was unable to attend school, so started painting on cardboard as something fun to do while at home.

Noah’s stepfather, Nathan Jones, posted invitations on Instagram asking for people to collaborate by adding their own design to the bright and bold artworks. The callout resulted in an amazing collection of unique images co-created by Noah and artists and key-workers from across the world, which were featured in an exhibition at Firstsite in autumn 2020. The sale of artworks by online auction went on to raise over £100,000 for Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

‘guess who’s back!’ features new contributions from artists across the globe who responded to a second callout in spring, 2021. The exhibition also includes artworks by local key workers from Colchester, and by school children – including students from The Grove Special School in Northumberland.

Visit @background_bob’s Instagram account

 Art IN sight podcast

Found out more about @background_bob and his amazing friends – guess who’s back! in the Art IN sight podcast

Listen to Clarke Reynolds, The Blind Braille Artist and Steve Baker, art enthusiast and owner of Good Company chat about their experience visiting Firstsite and the exhibition. The conversations delve into the location and the art in a way that gives you a small experience of being there and the same time understand that art can be experienced, in depth, for those without sight.