As described on the Brighton & Hove City Council website, " ‘Kiss Wall’ is an iconic seafront sculpture by Brighton based artist Bruce Williams. This vertical, linear aluminium column sits parallel with the seafront on Brighton’s top promenade. As you walk past and look out to sea, the light shines behind the column and the images become clear depicting six varying images of people kissing. Six photographs of people from different ages and genders were transferred to a dot screen and then drilled through a thick sheet of aluminium; the effect is similar to a pop
art picture with the dots forming the image. The delicate, sensitive nature of the subject matter and the images is a striking contrast to the solid aluminium material. ‘Kiss Wall’ illustrates the diversity of Brighton’s
population, celebrating equality, understanding and acceptance between all individuals".
When first installed, 34 years ago, it was one of the first public artworks I had seen, openly representing a gay couple in such a quiet understated way. It became a 'stop' whenever I had visitors to Brighton.
Image taken: 9th July 2025