Exhibitions and events for 2016

Spring is around the corner, and in the gallery we've assembled a fantastic line-up of treats for 2016 to see you through the year:

First up is 2 - 15 March: Jill Murphy's Five Minutes Peace 30th Anniversary

The book sees Mrs. Large search in vain for somewhere to relax from her rambunctious children.  The gallery presents a varied display of Jill's original published drawings and watercolours.  This exhibition is only up for a few more days, so make sure you don't miss it!

22 March - 2 April: Das Beste Von Allem: Contemporary German Illustration, featuring Axel Scheffler
Translating literally as 'Best of All', Das Beste Von Allem is a catalogue of many things, portrayed by 60 illustrators, including Axel Scheffler, our favourite German talent.  It represents the best of German illustrators doodling together.

22 - 23 April: Lismore Story Festival: Towers and Tales (Ireland)
We plan to once again cross England's noble shores to spend a weekend with our good friends in Lisamore.  Held within the grounds of Lismore Castle, the festival was borne out of the idea that every child in Ireland should be gifted a free book to encourage literacy and spark imagination.

Visitors at Towers and Tales Lismore's Story Festival 2015

Last year's event was a great success so we look forward to welcoming you to the Emerald Isle for a weekend of frolics, fantasy and illustration fun!

13 - 30 April: Children's Laureate Chris Riddell
To celebrate Chris' fantastic work as the current Children's Laureate we will be displaying an array of his graphic work, alongside a number of his well-known books; including the more recent Doodle-a-Day book by Macmillan.

A selection of Chris' character studies from his Instagram page (top two rows - https://www.instagram.com/chris_riddell) and the IllustrationCupboard website

The exhibition will also feature a book signing event with the man himself - exact dates to be confirmed - so keep an eye on our Twitter page for up to date information.

11 May - 11 June: Shaun Tan's Surrealist Vision 

A sneak preview of some of the wonderful Shaun Tan artwork that will be on display

This will be an ecclectic mix of some of Shaun Tan's latest work.  Covering the mediums of pastel, painting and drawing, Tan's surrealist workings of foreign lands where the imagination is allowed to run wild encapsulate a melting pot of nature and culture that surpasses reality.

1 - 8 July: London Art Week 2016 featuring George Butler
The whole of London will be buzzing as the annual London Art Week Festival takes hold.  The IllustrationCupboard will be exhibiting a special feature on George Butler, reportage illustrator and V&A Illustration Award Winner.

George drawing in Serbia in the latter part of 2015 - more information about this trip is available on Buzzfeed

13 - 30 July: Looking at Graphic Novels with Alexis Deacon
In mid-July we will be throwing light on Alexis Deacon's new book Geis, published by Nobrow books, alongside other artworks from well-known publications and comics.

Geis Alexis Deacon's new book released in June and exclusively signed for IllustrationCupboard

August in Tokyo: Anita Jeram in Tokyo
In August, in association with Kyuryudo Art Publishing Co., the IllustrationCupboard will be hitting the eastern market with an array of spectacular drawings by Anita Jeram, at NADiff Norden Bookshore, Shibuya in central Tokyo.

3 August - 3 September: The Enchanting World of Shirley Hughes
Key works from Shirley Hughes' archive will be returning to the walls of the Illustration Cupboard, where visitors will be able to view Shirley's evocations of British life through well-known and much loved characters.

21 September -15 October: 40 Years of Aardman Animations
The balloons will be up as we join Aardman Animations in celebrating 40 years of success.  This four-times Oscar-winning studio has gone from strength to strength with memorable features such as Creature Comforts, Shaun the Sheep and of course Wallace and Gromit.

19 - 30 October: 4th Annual Political Cartoon Exhibition
From satire to spoof we will be welcoming the best and brightest that the political cartoon scene has to offer.

Top: Christian Adams
Middle: Jeremy Banks aka BANX
Bottom: Paul Thomas

2 - 19 November: The Art of Edward Ardizzone

At the Library Table

A celebrated war artist, author and illustrator, Ardizzone's iconic watercolours and drawings will be on display in the gallery in early November.

23 November - 31 January 2017: 21st Annual Winter Exhibition

Now in its 21st year, the Annual Winter Exhibition will return with aplomb showcasing some of the world's finest illustration art from around the world.  One of the major events of our calendar year, this exhibition is not to be missed.

We'll hope you'll agree it's a jam-packed lineup for the rest of the year, so we look forward to welcoming you to the gallery and sharing the experience with you!