LONDON: WHEN graphic designer Diana Michelle Culey, 24, left Sabah for Liverpool in search of work experience, little did she realise that her foray there would be part of the city’s proud history and heritage.
A chance meeting and subsequent work experience with Winston Elizabeth & Windsor, a London-based collectibles company, led to Culey designing and producing commemorative plates to mark 175 years since the first-ever transatlantic ocean liner set sail from the Mersey in Liverpool.
The first Cunard transatlantic crossing which was made by MS Britannia left the Mersey for Halifax and Boston on Saturday July 4. 1840.
On Saturday, the Queen Mary 2 (QM2) recreated that historic event whichand it was attended by a huge crowd.
The day the QM2 left the docks, Diana found herself signing plates, which proudly displayed her initials DMC on the back of the 300 limited editions produced and made in Staffordshire, for the historical occasion.
Needless to say, the eldest daughter of a mechanic and housewife from Kota Kinabalu was overwhelmed by the unexpected reception of her work.
“Yes, I am happy and excited about this,” said Culey in a phone interview.
Culey who left the United Kingdom for Malaysia to be with her parents yesterday said her family knew little of what she had achieved.
The young designer, whose grandfather was with the British Army from Newcastle, said she took about two to three weeks to complete the artwork from design to completion.
“Once I started working, the ideas came very fast and I kept on working. Of course, I had to do some research on the QM2,” said Culey, who has also helped to design the Obama commemorative coin and the commemorative plate in honour of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
There are busy days ahead when she returns to Liverpool next month because in the pipeline is a commemorative merchandise for Hilary Clinton.
Maurice Alexander from the souvenir company said: “When we met Culey, she was doing a part-time job in Liverpool and I think the company shut down, so she was asked to try out some work with us.
“She began making posters and designed a website, and it went on and on. Even on weekends, she just wanted to do things and design things. She is a very talented and gifted lady.”
In view of the celebration of the return of the QM2, Culey was asked to design some fine bone china cups.
“On Saturday, the ship, we had many New Yorkers from the QM2 who asked her to sign the plates and cups with her name on them.”
The QM2 was moored at the Cruise Liner Terminal near the Crown Plaza Hotel in Liverpool before she left for Halifax, the first port of call, and then on to New York.
The commemorative plates to celebrate Cunard’s 175th anniversary, designed by Culey, was the brainchild of 3 Queens One City souvenir company. A 300 Three hundred limited-edition sets have been made. One plate features an image of Cunard’s original Britannia, which made the company’s maiden voyage from the Mersey on July 4, 1840.
The second is an image of the QM2, decorated in 22 carat gold, and was presented to the captain of the QM2 when the shipit arrived on Saturday. Three plates are on their way on the transatlantic crossing to be presented to the mayors of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Canada, Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City in the United States.
Culey presented a plate to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Tony Concepcion at the ceremony.
“I think this lady from Sabah is going places. A top artist in Liverpool, Stefan Adamache Michael Angelo, has called Culey’s work ‘Art in a frame’ and wishes to work with her in the next four months on a new projectwork and art designs,” Alexander said.