'He was a one-off' - Friends of Joseph Loughborough create lasting testament to 'special' Portsmouth artist and skateboarder
Friends of a “special” artist and skateboarder from Portsmouth who died last year have created a lasting testament to him and his “lust for creativity”.
Joseph Loughborough died in June 2025 at the age of 44, but his presence in the city will live on with a large mural in honour of him being painted at Pitt St. Skatepark on Commercial Road. The mural was nearing completion on Friday, April 10, what would have been Joseph’s 45th birthday.
The project was devised by two of his good friends, with Pitt St. owner Jacob Skinner commissioning it and artist Ben Slow creating it.
For Ben, the mural has become part of the grieving process as he honours his friend whose death has left “a big hole” in his life. The two met in London, where Ben is from, and they struck up an instant friendship with Ben visiting Joseph (who he knew as Joey) when he later lived in Paris and Berlin.
Ben now lives in Copenhagen and flew in last week to start the painting. He said: “Joey was one of my best friends, he was special, a one-off. It is a nice opportunity to honour someone like him. He opened my eyes to so much of the world that I was unaware of. He was always there for a kind word or a pint.
“This is in someway a part of my grieving process but also in a way that honours Joey and is appreciated, I hope, by those that knew and loved him like I did.”
Ben has been painting large scale murals across the UK and internationally on and off for around 15 years, however this one has weighed on him differently.
He said: “This one has been a bit different, staring at one of your best mates faces for weeks trying to work out how you are going to do him justice. There was a lot of overthinking, in the end my missus had to have a word with me and tell me to snap out of it and just to do what I do best.
“It is a beautiful portrait of Joey, it was his partner Audrey’s favourite picture of him so that was a beautiful starting point.”
Ben has used Joseph’s work as an influence on the mural, with elements from some of his pieces used in the background. Ben is calling it an “unofficial collaboration” and one he hopes Joseph “would be alright with”. It was also important to him that it had the blessing of Audrey who feels it is a fitting tribute.
Jacob Skinner, commissioned the mural as a way to honour his friend. He said: "Joseph was one in a million, he inspired so many without even realising it, including myself. His lust for creativity, life and just being a great friend was like no other.
“I still struggle daily to come to terms with him not being here with us now. All we can do is to try and honour him by passing on that magic amongst his family and friends. Take the time to take the time. Happy Birthday mate."
The mural is expected to be completed over the weekend.