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Artist Dean Tweedy hands out free hugs to passers-by in Sittingbourne High Street on Valentine's Day

One man, one creative goal, and a pair of arms were all it took to spread a little love on Sittingbourne High Street on Valentine’s Day.

Dean Tweedy decided to spend a couple of hours outside Workshop 34 giving out free hugs to passers-by on February 14.

The conceptual art piece involved him blindfolding himself so anybody and everybody who gave him a cuddle felt they could enjoy the embrace for as long as they wanted.

Artist Dean Tweedy performs a Valentine inspired "installation" where he offered free hugs to passerbys along Sittingbourne High Street
Artist Dean Tweedy performs a Valentine inspired "installation" where he offered free hugs to passerbys along Sittingbourne High Street

The hugging session was the culmination of two weeks of exhibitions and events at the workshop that all followed the theme of love.

Mr Tweedy said: “I got 122 hugs in two hours – it was a great success.

“Art is all about connecting with people, and it was a good way of connecting with the public.”

Show some kindness. Picture: John Westhrop
Show some kindness. Picture: John Westhrop

The 46-year-old will be helping to organise projects at the pop-up gallery until it closes at the end of March.

This week, people can visit as part of Children’s Week and see work from the Sheppey Youth Society and a photographic exhibition form Kemsley School.

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