Local artist transforms Lewes stairwell with shimmering CD ceiling installation

A sparkling tribute to artistic heritage

Local artist Matt Whistler, better known as Artist Dotty, has created something truly special in the heart of Lewes. His new installation at the Waterside Centre on North Street transforms a stairwell into a mesmerising display of light and colour, using hundreds of discarded compact discs arranged overhead in intricate patterns.

Inspired by Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel ceiling, the artwork is part of this year's Artwave Festival and represents far more than just a creative use of recycled materials. Whistler designed the piece to spark conversations about the preservation of culture as artificial intelligence technology becomes increasingly sophisticated.

"I wanted to get people thinking about the preservation of culture," Whistler explained.

A long-standing interest in technology and art

The artist, who is currently based between Lewes and Hove, has spent years exploring the intersection of technology and creative expression. In 2023, he gained attention after sharing an AI-generated image of a fictional Brighton street mural, which sparked debate online as hundreds of social media users attempted to locate the artwork. At the time, Whistler described the experience as "frightening" due to how convincing the image was.

Reflecting on that project, he described himself as "a bit of a sci-fi cookie" and said his work acts as a "zeitgeist conduit for the future." Rather than avoiding AI entirely, he takes a balanced approach to the technology's role in contemporary art.

Transforming discarded materials into art

Whistler describes himself as "something of a magpie," regularly collecting discarded materials from the street for artistic projects. The CD ceiling installation grew organically from earlier experiments, where he began attaching CD fragments to mannequins to create characters before incorporating the material into street art and larger installations.

The CDs used in the artwork were sourced from stock rejected by the British Heart Foundation, which was unable to sell them. Though initially hesitant about cutting up the discs due to concerns about destroying cultural artefacts, Whistler found a solution that aligned with his artistic vision and environmental values.

Celebrating community creativity

The installation is hosted by U Can Spray, a street art charity based on Lewes' Phoenix Estate that aims to inspire young people from all backgrounds through artistic experiences. Whistler believes the area deserves wider recognition for its thriving community of artists.

"The Phoenix Estate is a little off the map in terms of artwork, but it's a thriving hub of community artists," he said. "It's phenomenal."

Whistler's career has been marked by colourful exploits, from his 'fashion for peace' photo shoots to travelling from Land's End to John O'Groats on a push scooter. His latest work continues this tradition of creative thinking and community engagement.

Source: Artist creates a 'Sistine Chapel' ceiling made out of CDs