Owen Davey – World Illustration Awards

2024 | Longlist | Site Specific

pronoun
he/him
Why did you create this work?
The illustration explores themes of decarbonisation, biodiversity and sustainability based on the ways the college is trying to respond to the climate crisis, from conducting fundamental research to protecting local ecosystems, while acknowledging that there's still much more to be done.
How were your illustrations used?
My artwork adorns a 40-metre-long, 2.4-metre-high hoarding right in the heart of Cambridge while the roof of King's College Chapel is being restored. Various factors had to be kept in mind, such as visibility from a distance but complexity when close up, a low wall that obscured the lowest section of the art, and the way the hoarding was installed, including bolt positions and different panels.
What materials and techniques did you use?
I created sketches on paper and digitally, combining them and adding extra details to create the sense of one panel naturally flowing to the next so that it appears as one continuous work. Final artworks were made in Illustrator due to the scale it was being reproduced and a single colour palette was used throughout for continuity and unity. Photos of the work in situ are by Alistair Hall.
Was this project commissioned?
Commissioned
Commissioner Name
Jonty Carr
Commissioner Company
King's College Cambridge
Commissioner Instagram
@kings.college
Agent
Folio Art
Agent Instagram
@folioart
Personal Website or Portfolio Link
owendavey.com/
Instagram
@owendaveydraws
X (formerly Twitter)
@owendaveydraws
Biography
Owen Davey is an Illustrator based in Worthing, UK. For the last 15 years, he has worked on a wide variety of projects, from picture books to advertising. He has created work for clients including Google, WWF, BBC and National Geographic. He has produced around 40 picture books published in over 25 languages globally. His work often focuses on animals, humans and nature.
Where are you currently based?
United Kingdom (UK)

Read Interview