King’s Cross was once hell, now it’s a traffic-free oasis in the heart of London. In 2020 we were commissioned to create an interactive map of the area depicting the grittiness of the industrial past, and the creative present. We worked with artist Pete Murgatroyd to bring the area to life through illustration. Just as the map and campaign were about to launch, Covid hit, transforming the landscape in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We spoke to Pete about his creative journey, future plans and the profound influence of ‘Where’s Wally’.

Where did your creative journey start?

My very first creative experience was a drawing in nursery school that was all in purple pencil crayon of my house, family and cat outside, and lots of rain… essentially I drew ‘Purple Rain’. RIP Prince Rogers Nelson. After that it was comic book covers. My favourite comic was called ‘Overkill’, I don't think anyone remembers that one.

Who’s inspired you along the way?

Martin Hanford and ‘Where's Wally’ books seem to have been a constant inspiration ever since I read them in the waiting room at the dentist’s. I never owned a copy so as a boy I would always look forward to the dentist’s and I still like going now, just in case they have a copy. After studying illustration I was deeply affected by Brueghel and Bosch along with contemporary artists like Will Sweeney and Motohiro Hayakawa. They still make amazing art. There is always Moebius and Tiger Tateishi too. 

We’ve collaborated periodically over the years, is there a commission which stands out?

My favourite was the mural for the (Origin) Charlotte Road site. It was such a strange and rewarding experience. London seemed so quiet over the Christmas/New Year period, it was like floating through a ghost town, then to an empty street and café. For some reason I just loved it. I remember I had to use Christmas wrapping paper to block out the window so I could work on the projection. I think it was the scale and physicality of the finished work that was so satisfying, as an illustrator the work can often remain largely in digital space and I think some of these pieces need a physical manifestation to them and the details justice. 

What’s next?

I always wanted to do another mural and there was potential for the Kings Cross Map to become a mural too. Sadly this didn't happen due to Covid. I have wanted to do a comic for years now too and for the last 5 years have been working on one between work and family life. I am currently inking the last 20 pages of book one and at 2 pages a week I have about 10 weeks to go. So hopefully it will be edited and ready by the end of 2023.

petemurgatroyd.co.uk

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