A beloved Birmingham artist that ‘collects tat’ and helps people all over the city to express their creativity at events, venues and festivals has featured on ITV Britain’s Got Talent – much to Simon Cowell’s dismay.
TatVision, the creative moniker of Yardley’s Well Douglas, featured on the TV talent show in a gigantic papier mache version of show’s notoriously stony-faced creator.
‘Simon Towell’ is the latest art piece from the maker of the Four Lads In Jeans statues as well as the big dancing Mr Egg that featured so prominently in Joe Lycett’s International Day of Birmingham celebrations.
Read more: Inside the weird and wonderful world of Tat Vision, creator of the Four Lads in Jeans statues
The artist acted out a beach scene dressed as Simon Towell, garnering four big red Xs from the judges, KSI, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Towell’s inspiration.
“It was waiting and waiting and waiting around, and then suddenly you’re behind the stage,” Well told BirminghamLive.
Well, Poonam and Simon Towell celebrate sharing Birmingham art on Britain’s Got Talent -Credit:TatVision
“Dressed as Simon Towell, you have the same vision as you’d have in a knight’s helmet. Massive amounts of sand are poured onto the stage. Then you see Ant and Dec through the mouth slit of Simon Towell, laughing in hysterics.
“On stage, seeing Simons face look really, really angry was a fab reaction. I knew it was all going to be alright.
“Four ‘no’ Xs and a high five with my partner Poonam, who was going to play a seagull and a carer for baby Ant and Dec, but provided the narration. It was all over in a flash!”
While TatVision’s art isn’t for everyone, his Felt Tipsy events and community exhibitions have given countless Brummies the opportunity to take themselves less seriously and engage in real-life activities that centre fun and laughter.
“It was great representing Brum,” Well said. “Bringing the calm surreal oddness over Blackpool. I hope I’ll go back on and make a KSI fly costume, that’ll get me to the King’s Ball next time I’m sure!”
Well revealed that he made a papier mache bum for Simon Towell but they ‘wouldn’t let’ him wear it.
The papier mache bum that couldn’t be shown on ITV -Credit:TatVision
“It did look gross,” he explained.
“It was a whole conceptual artwork performance in collaboration with Simon Cowell,” Well said.
“He had to press his X no button to make it work so that really pleased me. The artwork’s about celebrity culture, image and loving yourself.”
You can see more TatVision art on Well’s Instagram account.
Funnily enough, Simon Cowell doesn’t follow him.