Pig housing supplier AM Warkup has announced the death of Chris Harland, who worked with the company and many others across the industry for many years creating adverts and exhibition stands.
Chris, who was 81 and lived in Hull, grew up in Bridlington, in East Yorkshire, and attended Hull Art College. Early jobs included creating exhibition stands for Vauxhall Motors and, according to his friend and long-time colleague, Nick MacIvor, he was part of the team that launched BBC Radio One in 1967.
Nick said: “It is with great regret that we have to announce the death of Chris Harland, 81. Chris was someone who combined both an extensive knowledge of our industry with his design skills.
“He created countless adverts and many exhibition stands, initially for Northern Pig, later National Pig, Development Co, Cotswold Pigs, SCA and latterly A M Warkup Ltd.
“In addition he built them powerful brand images, combining both his skill as a designer with that of talented photographer.
“His iconic image of a piglet in the arms of a farmer has been copied many times and as one friend remarked ‘Chris could make even a piggery look sexy’. He was a world class raconteur painting pictures with words, often reducing a room to helpless laughter. He, and his abilities, will be much missed by his many friends and colleagues in our industry.”
Chris leaves a widow, Jacqui and daughter, Lorna.