International artist makes a transatlantic journey to see his work in lights

The designer of the first North American installation to be featured in the annual Blackpool Illuminations display made a transatlantic journey to see his work in lights.

Canadian-born Bruce Alfred, who specialises in Native American art and woodwork, created an evocative design featuring hand-drawn images of eagles and Orca whales.

The tableau, one of the first to be developed using 3D printing technology at the Illuminations’ Lightworks manufacturing facility in Blackpool, incorporates more than 13,000 programmable LED lamps.

Located on the Cliffs at the northern end of the six-mile display, it is intended to be the first of a new series of tableaux entitled “Light Around The World” that will celebrate international cultures.

Bruce, who travelled to Blackpool with his daughter, Molly, toured the Lightworks facility to see at first-hand how the Illuminations team translate designs into large-scale light installations before performing his own personal “switch on” of the tableau.

The artist and master carver lives in Alert Bay, a remote island village off the northern coast of Vancouver Island. It is home to a small Kwakwaka'wakw Nation community representing the Namgis tribe.

Bruce has had numerous commissions for his work both in his homeland and abroad, including one for Salford in Greater Manchester and another for a theme park in Holland where he helped create a village installation that included several totem poles and house fronts.

After visiting his tableau, Bruce said he was thrilled with the end result – and with the links that he and his family had established with Blackpool.

He said: “Our visit to Blackpool has left an indelible mark on myself and my daughter. It was wonderful to gain an insight into the intricate work that goes into the dazzling Illumination displays and also to enjoy some of Blackpool’s own history at the Winter Gardens and The Grand Theatre, where we experienced our first ever pantomime!

“We will never forget the warmth of the welcome and kind hospitality shown to us by the people of Blackpool during our stay.”

During his visit, Bruce also gave a presentation on the Kwakwaka’wakw traditions and artwork at Kincraig Primary School in Blackpool where pupils are studying Native American culture.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We were delighted to welcome Bruce and his daughter to Blackpool to see his tableau in the Illuminations display. “This was a remarkable and historic collaboration and we hope that on the back of this experience, our talented Illuminations team will be able to commission more work from international designers.

“With the help of Government and Arts Council funding, coupled with the introduction of new manufacturing and design techniques, we have been given a glorious opportunity to celebrate Blackpool’s status as a world leader in illumination.”

Visitors to Blackpool can see Bruce’s work throughout the extended Illuminations season, which runs until January 1, 2024.

His tableau is one of a number of new installations in this year’s display which has been made possible thanks to Blackpool’s Town Deal funding.

Others include an installation by Dr Chila Kumari Singh Burman, MBE, a Merseyside-born artist who is celebrated around the world. She has produced numerous high-profile works including installations for the Tate Gallery and Covent Garden in London, as well as special commissions for film companies, including Netflix.

Two years ago, she produced an installation called “Blackpool, Light Of My Life” on the front of Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery and vowed to return to design something of scale in the world-famous Illuminations.

The result is a 26 metre-wide animated tableau entitled “Lollies In Love With Light”, a stunning, kaleidoscopic celebration of Blackpool incorporating around 760 metres of LED neon lighting, with a technicolour ice cream van at its centre.

The 2023 display also includes a new-look Spitfire Island - a large-scale installation developed in collaboration with designer and Illuminations curator, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

This installation has also been created using 3D printing technology. It features replicas of three Spitfires - Progress I, II and III - all funded by Blackpool residents during World War Two. The installation is sponsored by world-renowned model kit company, Airfix.