Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Christie Bannon

A graffiti art tribute to Caroline Flack has appeared in Llanelli

A vibrant graffiti tribute to Caroline Flack has been painted in Llanelli.

The silhouette image of a young girl letting go of a butterfly is accompanied with the "be kind" message that has been widely circulated since the presenter's death.

The Love Island host shared a post on Instagram in December which read: "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

The man behind the heartfelt tribute is the Banksy-inspired street artist whose work has been popping up throughout Swansea Bay.

Mons has previously been behind artwork including Theresa May's face etched onto the body of a monkey, a hanging man captioned '9-5' and a Catholic priest in drag.

Now he has covered another surface in Llanelli town centre, with his Be Kind artwork appearing in Mincing Lane.

Caroline Flack is thought to have taken her own life at her home in London (Ian West/PA Wire)

"I have been doing pieces like this for some time now and I usually place things in certain areas either for people to interact with, such as wings or a Spiderman for the kids," the anonymous artist said.

"Anything that I know will bring a smile to people's faces and get my work seen through other people's social media.

"This piece though hits a little closer to home as I have struggled with my own mental health and continue to do so.

"Art for me is a release, it focuses my mind and controls my anxieties.

"You see too often people harming themselves or even going as far as taking their own life because of senseless unwanted comments but these days it is inescapable due to everyone being on social media.

"If I can change one person's perspective on this just by leaving a mind influencing piece of art then we are moving in the right direction."

The Swansea artist explained that he chose this location for "a homage" to the late TV presenter "to reach out to as many people" as possible walking past.

The 40-year-old's death has sparked a conversation around mental health, as well as online bullying.

Mons added: "I find that this image represents kindness and the butterfly can be seen as letting go of all the negativity.

"The girl is being gentle and there's an innocence about it.

"It's sad to think that Caroline Flack was in that frame of mind and couldn't see any other way out at that moment in time.

"This piece is a homage to her and a positive message to anyone that sees it."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.