National Museum Cardiff
Sat 16 July – Sun 20 Nov
For more than 40 years Quentin Blake has been a big part of many people’s childhoods, mostly thought of fondly for his many collaborations with Roald Dahl. Blake was the subject of the inaugural exhibition in the House of Illustration – where he is also a trustee – in London, the UK’s only gallery dedicated to illustration. This year sees that exhibition, Inside Stories, come to the National Museum Cardiff, as Cardiff celebrates 2016 as the centenary of one of its famous sons: Roald Dahl.
Inside Stories celebrates the work of one of the most important and best-loved illustrators. Blake’s illustrations for Dahl’s stories are iconic, whether it’s the avuncular BFG, the grotesque Witches, or Willie Wonka in his purple top-hat. Of course Quentin Blake is so much more than the illustrator of Dahl’s characters, in recent times he has worked with David Walliams on his children’s books; he’s also illustrated for John Yeoman, Russell Hoban and former Children’s Laureate – Michael Rosen. He has also created his own characters, most famous of these is the Clown, a story told completely in illustration about a discarded toy clown who sets out to find a new home for himself and his other discarded toy friends.
Outside of illustration Blake taught English in a London-based French school; and taught the Royal College of Art, where he was also head of the illustration department for eight years. He also known for his patronage of various societies and charities, including The Nightingale Project which puts art into hospitals; as well as this he has created art for hospitals, including a children’s hospital and a maternity hospital in France.
Co-curated by Blake himself, Inside Stories has on display more than 100 exhibits, including many pieces of art that won’t have been seen before, such as rough drafts and storyboards. It shows how Blake brings a wide range of media, applied in varying touches to create his distinctive and well-loved characters and illustrations. Presented in storyboard form, using original drawings and showing how the process goes from studio drafts through to printing.
Admission: free. Info: 029 2039 7951 / www.museumwales.ac.uk
words CHRIS WILLIAMS