Retrospective celebrates the work of the 3D artist Max Lowry who captured the public’s imagination

Published: 17th June, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

A MEMORIAL exhibition is being organised for one of Islington’s most original artists, whose work – including the famous hole in the towpath illusion – has captured people’s imagination. 

Max Lowry, 36, son of the former Sunday Telegraph Paris correspondent Susanne, died last September of a rare heart condition known as sudden arrhythmia death syndrome.

He died the night before he was due to be married to his fiancée, business executive Jane Davies.

A former Barnsbury resident, Max formed the successful “3D Joe and Max” with his colleague Joe Hill, and developed their unique technique at The Studios Highbury, off Holloway Road.

Together they created memorable three-dimensional works for companies and organisations worldwide or for their own amusement.

As well as exhibiting in America and Europe, they represented UK creativity at the World Expo exhibition in China.

But it was their 3D pavement art that gave them a worldwide audience. This included the scene of a man (Max) leaping across an illusional giant crater, which appeared to have formed on the towpath of the Regent’s canal. 

The work was commissioned by British Waterways to encourage cyclists to slow down on the towpath to avoid walkers. 

Their art also featured former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling falling down a black hole just before the 2009 Budget.

Ms Davies, who is now working with Joe Hill at the studio, is organising the memorial event.

She said: “Max was a wonderful artist and we’d known each other since meeting as teenagers at Marlborough College. His death came totally out of the blue and was a terrible shock.

“He was very fit. The problem with sudden death syndrome is that it is undiagnosed and can happen to anyone.”

Speaking from Paris, his mother Susanne said: “He was a marvellous son, very talented, and I miss him very much. I’m pleased that there is going to be an exhibition of his work.”

The retrospective of Max’s work is being held at the Mall Galleries, from September 12-18, which will be anniversary of Max’s death.

A charity fundraising evening is also being held on Friday,  September 16, to raise money for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Max attended William Tyndale Primary School Islington in the late 1970s before going to Windlesham House boarding school in Sussex, Marlborough College, and then the Royal Holloway College.

• For details of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young call 01737 363 222 or email cry@c-r-y.org.uk