‘A tribute to the preciousness of fantasy’ : British-Chinese artist Charlotte Mei at NOW Gallery

Championing fantasy stories and films, this up-and-coming artist has been announced as NOW Gallery’s future space commission for 2024.

Tucked behind North Greenwich station, NOW Gallery champions early-career talent across fashion, design, art and photography.

To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, the gallery will be showcasing Like A Melody: Myths, Memories and Fantasy, by artist and illustrator Charlotte Mei. 

Ms Mei said: “From my childhood, and until this day, fantasy stories, films and videogames have woven purpose and poetry into the way I view the world. ‘Like a Melody’ is a tribute to the preciousness of fantasy and myth.”

Open to the public and free to attend from March 29 until June 2 2024, Like A Melody will see Charlotte Mei transform NOW Gallery into her own realm through paintings, giant figurines and sculptures of ancient artefacts from a parallel universe. 

Drawing heavily from mythology and anime, Ms Mei explores the power of escapism as a way of processing life’s challenges.

Large-scale, multi-canvas paintings in Ms Mei’s signature pastoral style create an expansive backdrop behind action figurines which nod to childhood dolls and toys she found adventure and confidence in as a child.

But Ms Mei also subverts the historically male-dominated fantasy genre with ‘excavated’ artefacts such as chainmail underwear – displayed in cases – playing with themes of defence and femininity.

Ms Mei is an artist and illustrator based in London. Like A Melody follows the success of her popular illustrations which have been commissioned by brands such as Hermès, Nike, and The New York Times. Her artworks have been exhibited in London, Hong Kong, Berlin, Tokyo and more. 

Head to NOW Gallery, in Greenwich Penninsula, between March 29 and June 2 to catch Charlotte Mei’s Like A Melody.

Pictured top: Charlotte Mei with her works (Picture: Supplied by NOW Gallery)