A FORMER Great Sankey High School pupil animator is bringing his first exhibition of cartoon-inspired art to Pyramid Arts Centre.
Christian Monaghan – who draws on The Simpsons and 60s psychedelia as inspiration – creates vivid cartoon and comic book-style pieces under the name ‘Eaten Alive Illustrations’.
In fact, his work is so well regarded that he has had commissions as far away as Australia.
But this will be the first time the digital artist has exhibited his work physically when he does so in Pyramid Atrium from Friday, April 29.
The 25-year-old said: “It feels really good to have a high profile exhibition like this in my hometown.
“Most of my stuff is digital so it’s really nice to have the chance to get some of my work in front of people in the real world. I’ve not done that before.”
The eclectic showcase will include about 12 of his ‘melty, colourful and weird’ pieces under the title, Demon Candy and the exhibition runs until July 1.
Christian, an animator at IAM Productions at St James Business Centre in Wilderspool Causeway, added: “I’ve created some new pieces, especially for the exhibition and I’ve done some digging to find some old ones as well because a lot of my stuff is ephemeral – it exists as either prints or just posts online.
“So I had a bit of a panic about doing a physical exhibition. I was wondering how I could do it but there’s enough stuff there to make an interesting show I think.
Folly artwork
“I really appreciate the support of Pyramid and Culture Warrington as illustrative stuff like comic book art can get pushed aside and overlooked by mainstream galleries sometimes.”
As well as highlights such as working with YouTube sensation Internet Comment Etiquette, Christian has experience of producing work in his hometown in the form of a Barbauld Street mural.
That features the Augustinian theologian Friar Penketh and ‘Old Billy’ from Woolston, the world's oldest horse, who died aged 62.
Christian said: “It was cool to get something so visible where I live. That was awesome.”
Growing up with shows like Samurai Jack, Christian has loved cartoon-style art since he was young enough to draw.
He did a degree in graphic design and illustration at Liverpool John Moores University when he decided to pursue a career in it.
And now, he can say he has come full circle to having his own exhibition right in his very own town.
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