Adrian Chesterman

About Adrian Chesterman

Adrian Chesterman studied fine art at Norwich School of Art and illustration at the Royal College of Art in Kensington, London. Since leaving the R.C.A., Chesterman has worked in nearly every sphere of the art world.

Illustration

As an illustrator he has worked for just about everyone, on just about everything, just about everywhere. His impressive client list spans the globe: 'Jurassic Park' publicity art for Steven Spielberg in Los Angeles, stage-set art for 'Sunset Boulevard' for Andrew Lloyd-Webber in Frankfurt, advertising commissions for Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Southern Sun Hotels in Cape Town, and videogame illustrations for Nintendo in Chicago. He has also created designs and visualisations for original theme parks in the United Arab Emirates and China, 'Spiderman' games for MGA in Los Angeles, and over the last ten years has illustrated nearly 50 spreads for Flight magazine for the aero engine division of Rolls Royce in London.

Recent projects include creating the gigantic artwork for the biggest jigsaw puzzle in the world — commissioned by Educa Boras in Barcelona. At an incredible 33,600 pieces and measuring 2 metres by 6 metres, it features a jungle scene brimming with detail. Other recent work includes a series of covers for the Armchair Reader paperback series published by Publications International in Illinois, all 21 covers for the Famous Five Enid Blyton classic series, Toyota Landcruiser illustrations for Saatchi & Saatchi in Sydney, and a poster for Seaworld's new 'Turtle World' themed water park in San Diego.

Books & Music

Chesterman has illustrated book covers for Jackie Collins, Jack Higgins, and Dick Francis, numerous children's books on dinosaurs, and an illustrated children's encyclopedia. His music album cover work includes Bomber for Motörhead, The Meaning of Life for the Monty Python team, and The Road to Hell for Chris Rea. He also illustrated an animated music video for the Eurythmics and built and painted a real skull-and-crossbones shaped guitar for Adam and the Ants.

Portraiture

Portraiture is another of Chesterman's artistic directions. Previous commissions include Prince Adan Czartoryski-Bourbon (cousin of King Juan Carlos of Spain), Mikhail Baryshnikov the ballet dancer, a captain in the Welsh Guards, several Hollywood actors, and innumerable children, cats, dogs — and a horse called George.

Exhibitions

Chesterman had his first exhibition of paintings at Liberty's in Regent Street while still at the Royal College of Art. He has since exhibited at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, Galerie Schèmes in Lille, the International Contemporary Art Fair at Olympia, Spinks, Kensington Town Hall, the BBC Centre in London, the Batey Gallery in Singapore, the Madison Gallery in Los Angeles, and numerous venues in Spain. He has appeared on The Riverside Show, 01 for London, Artrage, and other arts programmes in the UK, as well as TV appearances in Spain.