Global comic superstar Luke McGarry – who has worked with the Choose Cumbria campaign – is staging a special exhibition in the county to mark his 31st birthday.

Luke, best-known for internet meme sensation, Sad Chewie and cartoons for American humour magazine, Mad, is putting on his ’31 at 31’ retrospective exhibition at the University of Cumbria’s Vallum Gallery at the Brampton Road campus, featuring some of his favourite pieces of work from the last decade.

The exhibition – which runs from October 12 to November 2 – is part of the university’s on-going collaboration with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF), which takes place at various locations in Kendal at the weekend and is, again, supported by Choose Cumbria.

The exhibition has been curated by Luke and brings together some of his most distinctive poster work to date, including designs for California based music festivals and events alongside other commissioned work.

He will also be holding a talk and practical workshop with BA Graphic Design and BA Illustration students at the university of October 11 – which is his birthday – taking them through his working process and career to date.

Originally from Manchester, but now based in Los Angeles, where he has gained a distinct American twang, Luke’s work has featured in publications ranging from Playboy and Le Parisien to the Sports Illustrated for Kids, and he has created animations and music videos for Universal Music Group and Epitaph Records.

Last year, he produced a series of three humorous postcard-style comic strips for Choose Cumbria, the campaign to encourage people to relocate to the county to pursue their career and lifestyle goals.

His work has been turned in to a handy leaflet, which will be given out at the LICAF’s trusty Red T-shirt Brigade helpers, this weekend, along with the much-sought after Choose Cumbria branded bars of George Romney mint cake.

Nick Dodds, senior lecturer in visual culture at the university said: “It is fantastic to have an artist of Luke’s stature in Carlisle.

“Luke is one of the most exciting and dynamic young cartoonists working in America today. He has a distinct style, which is instantly accessible, humorous and culturally savvy.”

Luke Dicicco, project manager for Choose Cumbria, added: “It is great to see Luke’s association with Cumbria go from strength-to-strength with this exhibition and his continued support for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.

“It was great to work with him on the latest Choose Cumbria leaflet. It was certainly a different approach to singing the virtues of what Cumbria has to offer, but one that will help capture people’s attention and imagination.”

LICAF takes place between October 12 and 14.