Nautical but Nice

Entitled Ahoy!, the exhibition of work by Drawn Chorus, a collective of Middlesex University Illustration graduates, explores all things nautical through media including lino cuts, pencil drawings, collage, digital works and sculpture.

Its opening coincides with the 200th anniversary of the disappearance of the USS Wasp in the Bermuda Triangle during the War of 1812. The American vessel was said to be headed towards the Caribbean, and was last seen by a Swedish merchantman before disappearing.

However, the work on show takes a less tragic turn, looking to happier nautical cues such as fish in hats, shown above.

But with so many mysteries of the oceans, there’s a strange and dark underbelly to much of the work  – albeit delivered with humour, such as Lefki’s depiction of a be-frocked tentacle brandishing a  head on a plate:

Drawn Chorus member Alex Moore says, ‘AHOY! will be much more than just pictures on a wall; for the opening we’ll be creating an experience tailored to the theme with space dressing, interactive elements, music and themed food.

‘Everyone also has a very distinct style, and there’s a fantastic diversity of approaches within the group.’

AHOY! runs from 28th August to 2nd September at the Espacio Gallery, 159 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG.