Cosmo Jameson Creative Director

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Illustration: Adrià Fruitós
‘Treason: People, Power & Plot’ is a major exhibition from The National Archives on the history of treason since 1352. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 November 2022 until 6 April 2023, the exhibition brought iconic and unknown archival documents to life, including the original Treason Act and the Monteagle Letter that tipped off the Gunpowder Plot.

From the most famous treason trials such as Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn and Charles I, to the cook who poisoned the porridge and the young girl tried as a witch, the exhibition showcased nearly 700 years of treasonous history.

While the documents held by The National Archives are fascinating in their own right, they're not necessarily the most visually enticing of subjects. The exhibition celebrated the stories these documents hold, not the physical specimens themselves. With that and in response to TNA's long standing purpose of telling the nation's stories, illustration was the chosen media for the job.

We collaborated with illustrator Adrià Fruitós to develop a key visual illustration for the exhibition identity and campaign. The illustration itself was crafted to represent the duality of the theme of Treason; Traitor and government, opposing views — the subject entails a battle of two sides throughout history. Firmly based on the gunpowder plot and to reference 'People, Power & Plot', Adria's illustration came to life in animation across paid and owned digital media. Adria's style perfectly set the tone of the exhibition with his gritty and somewhat sinister finish.

The National Archives reported visitor numbers 23% over target, with that target being set 25% higher than previous exhibitions and 20% of asked visitors attributing their visit to the OOH and public transport media which ran prior to and over the duration of the exhibition.

MADEIT CREDITS

  • The National ArchivesClient
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