Agatha, a life of ladders and snakes
Collage, 2010, 2013
Agatha: A Life of Ladders and Snakes is a series of digital collages developed during her time living on the English Riviera, inspired by the life of Agatha Christie. The works draw on moments from Christie’s life, from childhood imaginings to memory loss and recurring nightmares, translating them into layered compositions structured around the symbolic motif of stairs. Exploring themes of instability, ascent and descent, the series has been exhibited across the UK and internationally, with a particular resonance at Burgh Island Hotel, where Christie once wrote.
Lost
New Beginning
The Gunman
2010, collage
In December 1926, Agatha had a car crash and subsequently lost her memory. She couldn’t remember her way home and ended up in Harrogate.
The Gunman
New Beginning
The Gunman
2010, collage
During her childhood, Agatha would have terrifying recurring dreams centred around the presence of a gunman. He would give her ‘a horrid feeling of fear’.
New Beginning
New Beginning
New Beginning
2010, collage
After her divorce from Archie Christie, Agatha took the opportunity to travel abroad and met her second husband Max Mallowan. She wrote many more novels based on her travels with him.
Storytelling
Sunworshipper
New Beginning
2010, collage
Agatha carried many stories in her head. She would juggle eight characters or more all interacting with each other and having a motive or opportunity to commit the crime.
Mind's Eye
Sunworshipper
Sunworshipper
2010, collage
At a young age Agatha created imaginary characters including The Kittens, Mrs Benson, Mrs Green and even her yorkshire terrier Toby was involved in her imaginary adventures.
Sunworshipper
Sunworshipper
Sunworshipper
2013, collage
Inspired by the novel Evil Under the Sun, which was set and written at Burgh Island.Even on a quiet holiday Poirot can not escape a murder mystery!
Daydreaming
The Announcement
Daydreaming
2011, collage
A fictional 1920's cocktail Party with Agatha in the foreground inspired by all the murderous events. The guests include victims, witnesses and of course murderers.
Alone
The Announcement
Daydreaming
2010, collage
Although Agatha had a happy childhood it was also a lonely one as she was prevented from going to school at a young age. Consequently she developed a wonderful imagination to entertain herself.
The Announcement
The Announcement
The Announcement
2013, collage
Inspired by the novel And Then There Were None, which was set and written at Burgh Island. Ten people all complicit in death receive shocking news.
Success
Dance Hall
The Announcement
2010, collage
Agatha’s literary career was taking off. The realisation was beginning to come to Agatha that perhaps one day she might become a writer by profession. Thus she was able to afford the little luxuries in life.
Dance Hall
Dance Hall
Dance Hall
2010, collage
Agatha met her first husband Archie Christie at a dance hall. As a young woman she had always looked forward to the day she would marry.
Poison
Dance Hall
Dance Hall
2013, collage
Whilst working at a dispensary Agatha was inspired to write her first detective novel. Poisons were all around her and so it was unsurprising that death by poison was central to the plot.