Artists unveil new illustration of Hartlepool landmark

Graphic designers Abby Taylor and Owen Smith, have added to their popular series of vintage-inspired illustrations which feature Hartlepool’s most scenic sights with the launch of a new artwork of Steetley Pier.

The new illustration perfectly captures the historic structure, which was built for the former Steetley Magnesite Plant in the 1960s on the North Sands and is now a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.  Although closed to the public, the 2000ft-long,derelict wooden pier is a beloved part of Hartlepool’s history for ttownspeople, and often a focal point for photographers.

The Steetley Pier illustration is the latest addition to the pair's ever-growing catalogue of designs which already include popular landmarks at Seaton Carew, Church Square and Ward Jackson Park.

 

Abby Taylor and Owen Smith

In 2017, the two graduates of the prestigious Northern School of Art in Hartlepool won a competition - commissioned by Hartlepool Borough Council - to create a series of large scale posters which have since been on permanent display at Hartlepool Railway Station.

“We recently launched as Abby+Owen, a two-person Teesside-based creative team, and so we've been reflecting on how far we've come and we owe much of our success as illustrators to our time in Hartlepool,” said Abby and Owen.

“The artwork at Hartlepool Railway Station was our first real collaboration, and so it is very special to us. We wanted to take the launch of our recent partnership as an opportunity to extend the range with a brand new illustration of Steetley Pier, as we have had several requests for this piece over the past few years,” they added.

“Abby and Owen’s designs brilliantly capture some of the most iconic and recognised sights in our town and are extremely popular with our customers who come from far and wide to purchase pieces as they evoke such positive memories of the town,” said Ashley Landsbury, Art Gallery Manager at Hartlepool Borough Council.

“We’re delighted to add the new Steetley Pier illustration to our collection of prints and merchandise available in our shop and believe it will make the perfect gift, not only for people who live locally but for tourists and people who have moved out of the area,” she added.

Abby and Owen’s designs are now available on a range of postcards and new and improved hand-signed giclee A4 prints as well as tote bags, tea-towels and mugs which can be bought from the shop at Hartlepool Art Gallery.

Hartlepool Art Gallery, which re-opened to the public earlier this month is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and entry to the exhibitions is free. For more information call (01429) 869706 or visit www.hartlepoolartgallery.co.uk