The Singing Bones - Celebration Event 26th October

Yes, October is here and it hasn't stopped drizzling - at long last we have an excuse to hunker down with a book, so let's make it a great one!

Shaun Tan's The Singing Bones was released by Walker Books at the beginning of September to much acclaim.  Inspired by Grimm's Fairy Tales, it has taken the essence of each story and boiled it down to key interactions; what Shaun himself calls "nightmare fodder" in this article by the Financial Times.

Fox and The Devil and his Sooty Brother on display in the Gallery this summer

We are thrilled about the book's release as the sculptures that illustrate the stories took pride of place in our exhibition: Shaun Tan's Surrealist Vision earlier this year.

All between 6cm and 40cm in height, Tan spent around three days on each of the 75 sculptures that adorn the pages of The Singing Bones; moulding, painting, drying and photographing until each figure was complete.  This article by Sian Cain at The Guardian explores Shaun Tan's transition from pencils to clay to create the sculptures.  Images of some of the sculptures that feature in the book can be seen here and we have a few still available to purchase via our website or over the telephone: 0207 976 1727 

Two travellers

The Devil and his Sooty Brother

In addition to the sculptures, we will also be hosting an event at the IllustrationCupboard on Wednesday 26th October 5-8pm to celebrate The Singing Bones, including an exclusive Skype screening with Shaun Tan.  We look forward to welcoming you to the Gallery on the 26th!