Colchester Castle

Mystical Creatures Exhibit

The Colchester Castle exhibition explored mystical creatures, medieval legends, and the origins of these enduring stories. I was commissioned to illustrate four legendary beings, the unicorn, the dragon, the griffin, and the mermaid, each brought to life as large-scale panels integrated throughout the exhibition.

These creatures formed part of an interactive quest designed for families, unfolding through a story and a series of books guiding visitors from room to room. Each one guarded a special artefact, hidden within the castle and waiting to be discovered.

A white unicorn with a rainbow-colored mane and tail drinks water from a pond, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, with a waterfall in the background and sunlight streaming through.
An illustrated scene of a golden eagle sitting on its nest with two eggs, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking a mountainous landscape with rolling hills, a river, and distant structures.
A vibrant illustration of a large, majestic blue and yellow dragon resting on a pile of gold coins inside a cave with glowing crystals on the walls and ceiling, illuminated by light streaming in from above.
Animated illustration of a mermaid with long, flowing blonde hair, sitting on a large rock in the water, with a scenic landscape of green hills and a castle in the background during sunset.

From Concept to Creation: My Illustration Journey for This Project

I had the pleasure of collaborating with Colchester Castle Museum, where my illustrations were featured in their exhibition The Mystical Creatures.

The exhibition ran across 2025 and 2026, showcasing a collection of medieval artefacts inspired by the history and legends of the East Anglia region.

The Exhibit

Museum exhibit with display cases containing artifacts, a colorful illustration of a phoenix on a brick wall, and informational panels on stands.
Ancient stone castle entrance with a wooden walkway leading to a rounded arch doorway, surrounded by grassy area.
Colorful dragon illustration with gold coins, an open book, and jewelry on display tables in a museum setting.
Information card about Kyria McKie, a French illustrator from the UK, with a photograph of her. The card describes her work on mythological creatures of East Anglia and her artistic journey.
A colorful cartoon illustration of a mermaid with long blonde hair, wearing a purple top and gripping a golden mirror, displayed in a museum exhibit with a stone wall background and an open storybook titled 'Chapter Five' in front.
A woman with long hair wearing a striped shirt and a beaded necklace, smiling and holding an ice cream cone, standing outdoors in front of a historic stone building with a tower and a cloudy sky in the background.
People standing in front of a large mural of a golden griffin on a stone wall inside a building.
A wooden box labeled 'Dragon Treasure' containing colorful iridescent rocks and stones, priced at 3.50 pounds per stone.
Colorful dragon-shaped lantern with blue and yellow hues hanging from a ceiling in a museum or exhibit space.
A display of gold jewelry, coins, and artifacts in a museum, including a large decorative metal crown or headpiece with wings and a red gemstone at the center, set on a red cloth-covered table against a stone wall background.
Colorful dragon-shaped lantern hanging from the ceiling inside a museum or exhibit space.
Colorful illustration of a rearing unicorn with a spiraled horn, flowing mane and tail, standing on a grassy patch against a stone wall.
A woman standing near a decorative display featuring a white unicorn statue on a green base, with a brick wall background at an indoor venue.
A woman with long blonde hair in a black dress and gold jacket posing next to a large, colorful dragon illustration at a museum exhibit. The background features a brick wall and a glass display case.
Hand holding a jar of enchanted dragon eggs with multicolored chocolate eggs labeled as milk chocolate eggs in a store.
A museum display featuring a unicorn skull and a large horn, set against a dark stone wall. There is a tapestry with a unicorn design hanging in the background.
A cartoon cutout of a female elf with long, flowing yellow hair, pointed purple ears, and a confident expression, set against a rock wall background.
Exhibit room with brick wall background and display cases showcasing artwork, sculptures, and artifacts within a museum.
Woman with long hair smiling, holding a puppet hand in front of a colorful woodland backdrop, standing behind a black counter with a plastic cup on it.
A woman standing in front of a large promotional backdrop with a castle, dragon illustration, and partially visible text about Winchester Castle, arts council, and nature theme.
Display of souvenirs including mugs, postcards, pillowcases, and napkins featuring a colorful map of Ireland with illustrations of landmarks and animals, set on a table with green moss and surrounded by artificial greenery in a store.