Mah-Noor Anwar’s proudly kitsch graphic design is a tribute to 2nd and 3rd gen South Asians

Mah-Noor Anwar is the Manchester-based founder of Chutney Chick, an online platform which aims to create pride for 2nd and 3rd generation South Asians. The multi-disciplinary designer combines photography, collage and hand-drawn lettering to create delightful illustration and graphic work that speaks to her community.

Amongst influences such as Pakistani truck art, sweet packaging and 2000s SpongeBob magazines, Mah-Noor also utilises old Microsoft visuals, such Comic Sans font types and the endearingly clunky MS Paint user interface, recalling the Dollar Store Vernacular aesthetic, where kitsch is rendered through the kind of low-fi imagery commonly found on food trucks and menu signage. There's many loving references to Manchester’s curry mile throughout Mah-Noor’s work – a lengthy street full of South Asian eateries in the northern city. “For myself and the rest of my community who frequent these fantastic businesses, this aesthetic provides comfort and other positive associations. I associate this style of design with food that has been lovingly prepared, as well as the large and welcoming community that I come from,” says Mah-Noor. “I feel that channeling this aesthetic in my design work is a way to honour my community.”

With her accessible, friendly work, Mah-Noor’s practice focuses on disabled adults and immigrant communities. Her aesthetic reflects exactly this: highly saturated and low resolution, the contrasts invite playfulness in its parody of old internet aesthetics. “My younger brother, who has always been one of my biggest fans (second only to my Dad), is both autistic and learning disabled. I have always worked to ensure he – as well as other adults like him – have ways to relate to and engage with my work,” says Mah-Noor. “His opinions are key to my design process.”

With Chutney Chick, Mah-Noor welcomes the viewer with the high energy friendliness of the visuals, weaving herself into the art through selfies, drawings and found imagery, literally putting humanity into the images. “I feel this stems from a need to be seen in a world and industry where people like me are often left feeling isolated and invisible,” says Mah-Noor. In her project I Love Ducks Autistically, Mah-Noor created an interactive publication that aims to encourage autistic people to engage with their special interests, with the visuals centring around Mah-Noor’s own special interest in ducks.