Current:Home > InvestMeet an artist teasing stunning art from the "spaghetti on a plate" of old maps-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Meet an artist teasing stunning art from the "spaghetti on a plate" of old maps
View Date:2024-12-23 20:53:38
London — These days, planning a journey is as easy as hitting "go" on a smartphone app. The traditional paper road maps of the past are all but obsolete. There's one British artist, however, who sees old maps as a new canvas.
"This is absolutely stunning, this is beautiful," Ed Fairburn remarked as he flipped through maps in his studio Southampton, on England's south coast.
Most people don't even own a map, but Fairburn can't get enough of them.
"I love the paper types, the textures. I love the stories that maps can tell, the history behind maps," he told CBS News.
Fairburn's journey begins with his pen, which he uses to tease beautiful images out of the lines and shapes on maps. He marks and draws in and outside a map's own lines, drawing inspiration from each map's unique features.
And those features vary considerably, especially when comparing maps from different sides of the Atlantic.
"I often think of U.K. locations like, you know, it's like spaghetti on a plate," he said. "There are roads going in and out of everywhere."
Maps from the U.S., however, often look distinct because American cities were largely planned and built many years later, on grids.
"I kind of see a lot of shapes and patterns in maps, almost like a sort of gesture, a sort of choreography in the landscape," he said.
Under the artist's pen, the streets, hills, and rivers morph into hair, cheekbones, and lips.
"You got all these, kind of shapes that complement one another but don't necessarily align perfectly, and that's kind of what I'm looking for," said Fairburn.
His creative cartography is making its mark across the pond. His work has been featured at the Abend Gallery in Denver. But it's Fairburn's transformations on TikTok that turned Katherine Revelle into a first-time art buyer.
She's bought three of Fairburn's maps.
"I came across a video of his process, and was just completely mesmerized," she said.
The map magic captured her children's imaginations, too.
"They were a little bit delighted by a grown-up being a little naughty and drawing on maps," she told CBS News. "The idea that they could get away with that — maybe a little inspired. I think the idea of drawing on top of something that already existed was appealing to them — or maybe a little bit scandalous."
For Fairburn, it's an artistic adventure, and each piece arrives at its own unique destination. His original works sell for anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on their size, complexity and the time it takes him to complete.
- In:
- Art
- United Kingdom
Ian Lee is a CBS News correspondent based in London, where he reports for CBS News, CBS Newspath and CBS News Streaming Network. Lee, who joined CBS News in March 2019, is a multi-award-winning journalist, whose work covering major international stories has earned him some of journalism's top honors, including an Emmy, Peabody and the Investigative Reporters and Editors' Tom Renner award.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (23)
Related
- Mike Tyson employs two trainers who 'work like a dream team' as Jake Paul fight nears
- It Ends With Us Actress Isabela Ferrer Shares Sweet Way Blake Lively Helped With Her Red Carpet Look
- Save an Extra 20% on West Elm Sale Items, 60% on Lounge Underwear, 70% on Coach Outlet & More Deals
- Kristen Faulkner leads U.S. women team pursuit in quest for gold medal
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- Path to Freedom: Florida restaurant owner recalls daring escape by boat from Vietnam
- Why Kit Harington Thinks His and Rose Leslie's Kids Will Be Very Uncomfortable Watching Game of Thrones
- American Cole Hocker pulls Olympic shocker in men’s 1,500, leaving Kerr and Ingebrigtsen behind
- Incredible animal moments: Watch farmer miraculously revive ailing chick, doctor saves shelter dogs
- After dark days on stock markets, see where economy stands now
Ranking
- Mike Tyson impresses crowd during workout ahead of Jake Paul fight
- What Lauren Lolo Wood Learned from Chanel West Coast About Cohosting Ridiculousness
- Over 55,000 Avocado Green Mattress pads recalled over fire hazard
- Why AP called Missouri’s 1st District primary for Wesley Bell over Rep. Cori Bush
- Quincy Jones' Cause of Death Revealed
- Powerball winning numbers for August 5 drawing: jackpot rises to $185 million
- People with sensitive stomachs avoid eating cherries. Here's why.
- Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose finalize divorce after abuse claims, leaked audio
Recommendation
-
Denver district attorney is investigating the leak of voting passwords in Colorado
-
House of the Dragon Season 3's Latest Update Will Give Hope to Critics of the Controversial Finale
-
'Star Wars' star Daisy Ridley reveals Graves' disease diagnosis
-
Blake Lively Reveals Ryan Reynolds Wrote Iconic It Ends With Us Scene
-
New 'Yellowstone' is here: Season 5 Part 2 premiere date, time, where to watch
-
Why Kit Harington Thinks His and Rose Leslie's Kids Will Be Very Uncomfortable Watching Game of Thrones
-
Spain vs. Brazil highlights: Brazil holds off comeback, will play for Olympic gold
-
Georgia tops preseason college football poll. What are chances Bulldogs will finish there?