Accepted into the Pride 2026.
- kimberleyg
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
I am super excited to announce I have been chosen to be a part of the Pride of Portsmouth, Wild in Art collaboration project in the community. I am super proud to be working alongside Adopt South on this project and looking forward to the adventures with Valen the Lion of Love.
To follow along, see the link https://www.degarisdesigns.co.uk/pride-of-portsmouth-2026
Portsmouth Artist Community Project, Pride of Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council.
Creativity really is intelligence having fun, a process that lives as much in experimentation as in the finished piece. I will be sharing work-in-progress opens that journey, revealing the decisions, revisions, and energy behind each stage.
For this project, there’s a real physicality to it, too, 40kg of sculptural presence that demands both strength and vision. Being selected as an artist for the Pride of Portsmouth, delivered by Wild in Art, is something to be genuinely proud of, and it shows in the ambition of the work. The focus is on making colours pop, bold, striking, impossible to ignore, while still maintaining an individual look that sets the piece apart. And it’s in those behind-the-scenes moments, often unseen, where the real character of the artwork is built.
Valen the Lion of Love.
Valen tells a story of love and devotion. Valen reflects on love, loss, memory, and the promise of brighter futures. At the heart of the design is a universal symbol, the heart, explored as a powerful motif that connects us, evokes emotion, and inspires reflection.
Through interlocking and overlapping hearts, the artwork builds a layered composition that mirrors the depth and complexity of life and community. For me, these hearts represent both those we hold close today and those who live on in our memories.
The vibrant colours and layered forms celebrate the many dimensions of love, enduring connections, cherished moments, and the hope of new experiences. Valen embodies love and devotion, not only within our personal lives but across our wider community.
This design is a reflection of our shared humanity, a celebration of connection, memory, and the colourful lives we continue to build together.
What the project means to me.
For me, the heart represents those we hold dear in the present, as well as those who are no longer with us but remain alive in memory. The layers of hearts and the vibrant palette symbolise the many forms love can take: enduring connections, cherished memories, and the promise of new experiences. It is a celebration of love in all its dimensions, loving deeply, remembering fondly, embracing the here and now, and carrying hope and passion for the future.
There was a Lion called Valen?
The name Valen embodies love and devotion.
The name Valen has a few related meanings depending on its linguistic root, but they all centre on strength and health:
It’s derived from the Latin name Valens, which means “strong,” “healthy,” or “vigorous.”
It’s also connected to Valentinus, the root of names like Valentine, carrying meanings of strength, vitality, and worthiness.
In modern usage, Valen is often treated as a short or stylised form of Valentine or similar names, retaining the core meaning of inner strength and resilience.
In short, Valen generally stands for strength, vitality, and good health.
Watch this space as the project develops and takes part in the streets of Portsmouth in July and August 2026.
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