Countdown to Agatha!

Only a few days to go until we install the new Agatha show. Curator Alice Graham and I have been working on it intensively since spring, so it’s great to see the work coming to fruition.

The show takes a fresh angle on her life and centres around the work she did with her husband: archaeologist Max Mallowan. Many times I’ve laughed aloud while designing - it’s her wonderful tales and quotes, you see... it seems Agatha is world famous for good reason! The star objects are original transcripts of her poetry, which are a revelation.

In a lovely full circle moment, I was already an admirer of hubby Mallowan. Since childhood I’ve visited the British Museum to gaze at the Assyrian reliefs he excavated. This led me to studying archaeology at UCL, where he was a professor in earlier days.

Right! Must be off to pack my tape measure, masking tape and toothbrush.

Agatha Christie: Destination Unknown
Sat 11 Sept 2021 to Sun 28 Nov 2021
Torre Abbey
The King's Drive
Torquay TQ2 5JE

www.torre-abbey.org.uk/whats-on/agatha-christie-destination-unknown/

(post by Tanya)

Poetry in London Bridge Station

Working with the Museum of London, I designed the 3D layout and 2D panels for the display cases in the expanded London Bridge station. On show are many fascinating objects excavated during the build. If you’re passing through the main concourse, it’s well worth slowing down to take a look.

I find this kind of work so satisfying. Why? Not only do I relish the design process, I get a genuine kick out of working with historical content. For instance, take the caption below about a goose’s wing bone. A few centuries ago, someone living close to the Thames by London Bridge selected a particular bone to carve into a writing instrument which, in its smallness is something to ponder on; but what’s more, is that it survived and is now on display for the thousands passing through the station every day. To me that’s poetry. You have to wonder what it was they intended to write. A few lines to a loved one maybe? Or maybe a letter of complaint? Perhaps a drawing, or a simple list of figures? Which leads me to think about the practicality of such a pen. I’ve found that even without splitting the nib a reed pen works really well, although I’ve only tried bamboo. Which makes me wonder what kind of mark bone would make ... every project creates a wide net of ideas.

(post by Tanya)

Agatha Christie, Unfinished Portrait

This summer, once again I had the pleasure of working with Alice Graham on the touring show Agatha Christie, Unfinished Portrait. We worked together to deliver the show for the International Agatha Christie Festival. Click the link below for a great video made by The Shorely – you can see me in the background, working alongside Alice and the amazing James and Josh from Art Works Exhibition Services. The show was on at Torre Abbey until 24 November.

The Shorley:

https://www.theshorely.com/articles/agatha-christie-unfinished-portrait-exhibition

Art Works Exhibition Services:

https://www.arthandling.co.uk

Graphic production by Displayways:

https://www.displayways.co.uk

For more on this show on the portfolio section of this website:

http://chutneychorus.com/#/exhibition-agatha-christie

(post by Tanya)

A picture of summer at the Natural History Museum

Sensational Butterflies is running for a second year on the front lawn of the Natural History Museum. I designed and artworked the graphics from my little studio here in Crystal Palace. I have to say it was a genuine pleasure using Harry Taylor's photos - such incredible macro photography... an education in itself.  

If you can't make it in person, go to their website for a 360 tour with an expert. 

Show runs until 16 September

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/sensational-butterflies.html

(post by Tanya) 

Up-to-date

We've updated our website. Click on the pic that tickles you. 

Museum of London

Looking back through my project log, I realise how much I do for Museum of London. This year alone, I've worked with them on 22 projects. I work across the board on marketing & PR materials, create templates and guidelines for the Learning team and I also have my hand in the permanent displays at both the London Wall and Docklands sites. Here's a sample ... I particularly love the challenge of creating these animated GIFs with their teeny, tiny file size. 

(post by Tanya)

Sensational Butterflies at the Natural History Museum

Sensational Butterflies at the Natural History Museum is open! I designed and artworked the exhibition graphics for the show. It's a live butterfly experience, so it's something of a departure for me. Happy feelings. 

The show runs from 31 March to 17 September 2017.

See the full story about the design here:

http://chutneychorus.com/#/exhibition-natural-history-museum/

(post by Tanya)

Don't stand up

We recently went to see 'The World of Charles and Ray Eames' at the Barbican Centre. They're most famous for their chair design but they did so much more - graphic, exhibition, splint design (yes, you read that right), photography, film and multi-media work. Here's our response - a selection of Japanese seating. 

The show runs until 14 Feb. You gotta catch it. 

www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery

Agatha Christie: Unfinished Portrait

Agatha Christie: Unfinished Portrait is now showing at Bankside Gallery. It's a photography show of unseen images from Christie's own albums. I've had my fingers in every pie: the 3D design, 2D graphic design and marketing campaign are all my work. The Christie Archive Trust and Agatha Christie Ltd have been great clients - they are a close-knit, enthusiastic group and it's a privilege to work with them. 

I've visited a few times and it's rewarding to see Christie fans so engaged with the content. Bingo! (That's an in-joke if you've seen the show). 

The exhibition got an enthusiastic response from Kirsty Lang of BBC Radio 4's Front Row:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b066wfp2

Agatha Christie: Unfinished Portrait
Bankside Gallery (next to Tate Modern)
London SE1 9JH
Open daily 11am–6pm
Until 6 September 2015

Touring to Torre Abbey, Torquay for the International Agatha Christie Festival from 11 September. 

(post by Tanya)

Chutney Chorus news

Things are busy over at Chutney Chorus. My biggest current project is the upcoming photography show Agatha Christie: Unfinished Portrait. I'm the sole designer, doing the 2D/3D design and the marketing campaign. The BBC ran a little article on it - link below. I'll share more as we get nearer the opening date. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33141205

See more on agathachristie.com

Agatha Christie: Unfinished Portrait
26 Aug – 6 Sept 2015
Bankside Gallery (next to Tate Modern)
11am – 6pm
Free entry

(post by Tanya)