Es Devlin at the Design Museum: A fitting spectacle

Es Devlin, hailed as one of the most renowned set designers in the world, has captivated City AM's theatre critics with her distinctive and instantly recognizable style. Her work often revolves around familiar shapes like beams of light, rotating cubes, and concentric circles, making her sets instantly recognizable.

Her latest exhibition at the Design Museum showcases the vast array of her talent, drawing from over 30 years of work. The exhibition is presented in a manner that feels entirely fitting for someone with such a strong theatrical background. Upon entry, visitors are divided into small groups and guided through a recreation of Devlin's London studio, filled with sketches, architectural sculptures, and scribbled notes.

As visitors progress through the exhibition, they are greeted by a video introduction, where Devlin breathes life into the voiceover, talking about her goal to "Imagining worlds that don't yet exist." The exhibition covers three decades of her work, from initial sketches to watercolor paintings and scrapbooks. Themes like concentric shapes and clear cubes, inspired by the illusion of space in stage design, are recurring elements throughout.

Not only is Devlin a set designer, but she is also a talented painter and draftswoman, showcasing her skills in drawing animals, nudes, and cityscapes. The final room of the exhibition features a vast, triangular bookshelf, filled with 2,000 books arranged on a massive rotating mirror. Quotes from notable figures like Socrates, Dante, Yeats, Virginia Woolf, and Evelyn Waugh are displayed, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in Devlin's personal world and reflect on her inspirations.