Tanu Vasu Q&A: Inside the Art Behind Queen Mary 2
Tanu Vasu’s work on Queen Mary 2 is about more than creating beautiful illustrations. It is about finding the details that make Cunard instantly recognizable, then carrying them into the ship’s next chapter.
For Vasu, that has meant digging into archival imagery, vintage photographs, old advertisements and the visual language of Cunard’s past. It is also a project with a personal connection: she grew up in Sydney watching Cunard ships arrive at Circular Quay.
In a Q&A shared by Cunard, Vasu explains how she approached that balance between history and renewal, the traditional techniques behind her distinctive style, and why working on Queen Mary 2 has become something of a full-circle moment.
Was there a particular element of Queen Mary 2 that drew your attention during the creative process?
“I have long admired Cunard, and what drew me to Queen Mary 2 was the legacy she carries, from the golden age of the Transatlantic Crossing to the enduring glamour of the great Cunard liners. I wanted my illustrations to celebrate that history while looking ahead to the next chapter now unfolding for her.”
From a creative perspective, how do you approach illustrations for such a legacy brand and, in this case, a ship?
“I am drawn to brands with deep roots in history. I am a storyteller at heart, and I love creating illustrations that feel like a world you can step into, one that evokes the character of a place and the experience it promises.
“Cunard’s Art Deco-inspired style gave me an extraordinary visual language to draw from while honouring the charm of the Transatlantic Crossing.”
How do you approach interpreting a brand’s vision and design, as you’ve done for Queen Mary 2, in a unique way?
“What I love most is celebrating storied brands through artful storytelling, and it is an immense privilege to do that for Cunard.
“Research is the heart of my work. I immerse myself in archival imagery, vintage photographs and original logos, then draw elements from the brand’s history. I look for the details that give a brand its character, whether that is a typeface, a colour, or the way a scene was composed in an old advertisement.
“I revel in that historic inspiration, so that each piece feels true to the brand’s heritage and is then reimagined through my own lens and artistry. My aim is for someone who knows Cunard well to recognise its spirit, and for someone discovering it for the first time to feel enchanted by its world.”
How did you approach the task of reflecting the history of Queen Mary 2’s design, while also bringing in the elements of the refurbishment?
“Queen Mary 2 has a distinct visual language, and her historical design references have been the foundation of the refurbishment. Bringing the legacy elements together with the new felt seamless, because they share the same foundational aesthetic.”
The refit was never about reinvention, but about celebrating what makes Queen Mary 2 so remarkable. I wove in touches from Cunard’s archives alongside the refreshed details, so that past and present read as one continuous story.”
Please tell us a bit about your creative process?
“Everything I create begins with old-world ink and etching techniques layered with soft pastels. These time-honoured methods were taught to me by artisans who inherited their craft and passed it down through generations, and I relish keeping that tradition alive.
I work within a distinct pastel palette that has become part of my signature aesthetic, lending each piece a nostalgic glow. I carried that palette through this entire series for Cunard, and it was a marvel to bring the golden age of ocean travel to life.”
You grew up watching Cunard ships arrive in Australia. What does being part of Queen Mary 2’s next chapter mean to you?
“I grew up in Sydney, watching Cunard ships glide into Circular Quay, and I still remember the thrill of anticipation that accompanied each arrival. What I have always cherished about Cunard is the history behind it, and Queen Mary 2 sits at the heart of that legacy, not only for the brand but as a glorious way to travel.
To be part of her next chapter, and to bring her creative vision to life through my artistry, is a tremendous joy and a full-circle moment.”
