Exhibitions and events which we think may be of interest to IBIS members.
We welcome suggestions for additions to this list.
Current Exhibitions
Denizens of Discworld: 30 Years of Paul Kidby’s Illustrations
St Barbe Museum, Lymington
This exhibition has now closed, but we understand that is it likely to tour.
We will provide further details as we receive them.
This unique exhibition presents a rogues’ gallery of characters from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, beautifully drawn and painted by Paul Kidby.
Quentin Blake Book Covers
Haverhill Arts Centre
Until 11 March 2023
Quentin Blake’s career illustrating books began over 60 years ago with his covers for paperback fiction. Since then he has created hundreds of designs for everything from literary classics to his own picture books.
Click Here for Further Information
Future venues include Aberdeen Art Gallery (8 July to 17 September 2023) and Rugby Art Gallery and Museum (10 February to 11 May 2024)
Henry Moore: Drawing in the Dark
St Albans Museum and Gallery
On until 16 April 2023
This is a rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528).
Scene Through Wood
St Barbe Museum, Lymington
On until 22 April 2023
This exhibition celebrates one of the most astonishingly skillful and richly creative forms of visual art. Curated by Anne Desmet RA, currently the only engraver elected to the Royal Academy of Arts, the exhibition marks 100 years since the founding of the Society of Wood Engravers in 1920.
The exhibiition was previously on show at the Ashmolean, Oxford and the Heath Robinson Museum, Pinner.
Sussex Landscape: Chalk, Wood and Water
Pallant House, Chichester
On until 23 April 2023
Although this is not an exhibition relating to 'illustration', artists represented here, such as Ravilious, are known to our members and are appreciated for there work in the field.
Illustrating the World: Woodcuts in the Age of Dürer
The Holburne Museum, Bath
On until 23 April 2023
This is a rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528).
BFG in Pictures
North Hertfordshire Museum, Hitchin
Until 23 April 2023
For this exhibition, Quentin Blake has selected works that reveal how he illustrated Roald Dahl’s 1982 book about an orphan called Sophie and her giant friend. From initial illustrations that didn’t make it to publication to drawings to mark Roald Dahl’s centenary, the exhibition gives a unique insight into the creation of one of British children’s literature’s most iconic characters.
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Future venues include Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (4 June to 3 September 2023)
100 years of Norman Thelwell
Mottisfont, Hampshire
On until 4 May 2023
a major new exhibition featuring over 150 works, from Thelwell's trademark ponies and other cartoons to glorious watercolours of local landscapes.
The Legend of King Arthur: A Pre-Raphaelite Love Story
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
On until 3 June 2023
A Touring exhibition that depicts the triangular interdependency that exists between Arthurian legend, Pre-Raphaelite artists and locations linked to the Arthurian legend.
Quentin Blake: Illustrating Verse
Weston Museum, Weston-super-Mare
Until 3 June 2023
Quentin Blake has been writing and illustrating poetry throughout his 60-year career. Many of his own books feature rhymes and songs, and he has collaborated with writers including Michael Rosen and Roald Dahl.
Click Here for Further Information
Future venues include Aberdeen Art Gallery (8 July to 17 September 2023) and Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts (23 September 2023 to 3 January 2024)
Paul Nash and the Art of the Book
V&A Museum, London
On until 13 June 2023
Paul Nash (1889-1946) is best known as a landscape painter and war artist. This display explores his work as an illustrator, showing how his graphic style was changed by his experience of war and influenced by his exposure to new artistic ideas in the early decades of the 20th century.
The Wonderful World of the Ladybird book artists
Braintree Museum, Essex
On until 1 July 2023
A touring exhibition featuring hundreds of vintage Ladybird books and original watercolour illustrations, curated by ladybird book expert Helen Day.
Future venues and dates:
Summer 2023: Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick.
Spring 2024: The Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.
Summer 2024: St Albans Museum, St Albans.
Forthcoming Events and Exhibitions
Quintessential Edward Ardizzone
Chris Beetles Gallery, London
28 March to 22 April 2023
A significant selling exhibition of original pictures by Edward Ardizzone.
Rena Gardiner: A talk by Martin Andrews
Art Workers' Guild, London
12 April 2023
A talk about author, illustrator and auto-lithographer, Rena Gardiner by Martin Andrews, followed by a book launch.
PBFA 2023 London Internation Book Fair
Art Workers' Guild, London
20 and 21 May 2023
Back after an absence of a few years - this important annual fair returns to its convenient Earl's Court location.
Flower Fairies: Enchanting illustrations by Cicely Mary Barker
Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight (Liverpool)
15 April to 5 Nov 2023
To mark the 100-year anniversary of her first book, Flower Fairies of the Spring, this exhibition will feature around 45 original illustrations by Cicely Mary Barker (1895 to 1973), with digital projections and costumes inspired by the fairies, designed by Vin Burnham.
Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective
Cambridge University Library
29 April to 26 August 2023
This touring exhibition, curated by the Quentin Blake Centre for Book Illustration, is the first ever retrospective of the influential author-illustrator.
Oxford Fine Press Book Fair
Examinations Schools, Oxford
9 and 10 December 2023
Annual book fair specialising in fine press, arists books, illustrated books, etc. Organised by the Fine Press Book Association.
