A BUS has been given a special makeover for the start of the largest arts festival in the country.

The double-decker Brighton and Hove bus has been covered with original artwork by Brighton’s iownthisart, also known as Jason McQuillen.

Many will recognise the style of his work as it has appeared in hotels, pubs and cafes such as the Marwood coffee house and Hotel Pelirocco.

The bus has been completely transformed – not only the exterior but also the inside, floors, ceilings, lighting and seats.

The finishing touches to the bus were applied yesterday ahead of this year’s Brighton Fringe. Called ‘Get On. Go Somewhere’, the work was commissioned by Brighton and Hove Bus Company and designed with a creative team.

Creative director Chris Harrison and commercial interior designer Chloe Bullock worked with Mr McQuillen to produce the design. The quirky monochrome artwork is said to be inspired by Brighton’s North Laine area.

The exterior is covered in stylised, monochrome drawings while the inside features multicoloured lighting which has been created using coloured gels. The flooring meanwhile has been replaced with a mini-cobbles design.

Brighton and Hove Bus Company managing director Martin Harris said: “We’re strong supporters of Brighton Fringe and we know our buses take people to some amazing cultural events – not just in May but throughout the year.

“So this year we really wanted to do something that would be integral to the spirit of the Fringe and also celebrate the way buses are part of people’s cultural experiences in our city.”

The bus will be part of Fringe City which is held in New Road every Saturday during the event, which runs from May 1 to 31.

On Saturday evenings in May, it will cruise between Brighton Station and Fringe venues. Anyone with a ticket to a Fringe event can ride for free.

Fringe Director Julian Caddy said: “We are delighted with this unique addition to the Fringe programme.

“I love the way this work represents the city’s independent creative spirit – and it has a fantastic practical application as it will be used for performances and travel during the Fringe.”

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Factfile

Artist Jason McQuillen is better known as iownthisart.

He is resident artist at the Hop Poles pub in Middle Street, Brighton, and other works can be found at Hotel Pelirocco, in Regency Square, Earth and Stars pub, in Windsor Street, Presuming Ed coffee house, in London Road and Marwood coffee house in Ship Street.

He is currently working on a piece in Temple Bar in Western Road, and has received commissions in the past to do works on a house in Orange Row and at Black Rock.

His work is currently being exhibited at the Brush hair salon and art gallery, Gloucester Street, and also at Dynamite Gallery in Trafalgar Street.