Notes from the Darktown Turbo Taxi

About

Jonny explains: 

“Darktown is a mysterious coastal hinterland populated by pin-up girls, jazz artists and tattooed sailors. From 0 - 60 in no time at all, all aboard the Darktown Turbo Taxi, proudly placed in the fair city of Portsmouth for this next wee while. This customised Saab now acts a mobile advertisement for all the exciting emporiums in my imaginary seaside peninsula.”

Sponsored by the Heart illustration agency, the national tour of the Darktown Turbo Taxi has already taken it to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Manchester School of Art, The House of Illustration in London, and Towner along the coast of Eastbourne.

Accompanying the customised vehicle is a series of road, valentine and seaside inspired paintings, prints and extraordinary objects especially made and selected for Portsmouth, as well as  Jonny’s new ABC book Fast Cars & Ukuleles published by Mainstone Press.

Jonny Hannah studied at Liverpool School of Art and The Royal College but now works from a south coast garden shed, working for a variety of  clients including The Royal Mail, New York Times and the St. Kilda Courier. He is represented by Heart agency, in London and New York.

Jonny AKA Monsieur McHulot will also be hosting a unique event, The Darktown Valentine’s Cabaret, at Aspex on Thursday 14 February - an evening featuring a selection of thoughtfully curated music, poetry readings and games to fulfill all your alternative Valentine’s needs. Tickets cost £25.00 and can be booked via the gallery’s website.

Notes from the Darktown Turbo Taxi forms part of Aspex’s Winter season of events, exploring roads, journeys and processes of manufacturing and engineering.