Culture / Events & Exhibitions

Illustrator’s Diary: April Events and Exhibitions

Illustrator’s Diary: April Events and Exhibitions

Finding a good illustration event or exhibition can sometimes be a real struggle. So here are the ones we are most looking forward to around London (and Italy), opening this month.

If you know of an upcoming event or exhibition that you think we should know about, get in touch. We would love to hear your suggestions.

Foundling Sunday: Angela Barrett & Musical Banquet

Foundling Museum, London, 3 April 2016
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Angela Barrett, Snow White’s Mother, 1991 © Angela Barrett

Foundling Sunday: Angela Barrett & Musical Banquet is a one-off event, part of the Foundling Museum’s Drawing on Childhood exhibition. Celebrated artist Angela Barrett, known for her poetic illustrations of Snow White and The Diary of Anne Frank, discusses her practice and inspiration with Curator Nicola Freeman. The talk is followed by a concert of early English and European music, performed by critically-acclaimed trio Musical Banquet. The talk begins at 14:00, the concert follows at 15:00.

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Bologna, Italy, 4 April — 7 April 2016
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The Bologna Children’s Book Fair, © 2016 BolognaFiere Viale della Fiera

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the biggest event in the calendar for all those working in children’s content today. Whether you are an author, agent, publisher or translator, there is something useful and stimulating for everyone. Once again, the event will house the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition. Featuring a wide selection of artists from different countries forming a unique showcase of the latest trends in children’s illustration for both fiction and non-fiction.

Secret 7” Exhibition

Sonos Studio, London, 8 April — 1 May 2016
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Photography Aurelien Guichard, Secret 7”

Secret 7” is an annual event that combines music and art for a good cause – this year in aid of Amnesty International UK. now in it’s fifth year and we’re delighted to have raised over £130,000 to date for causes we love. Sir Anish Kapoor, Sir Paul Smith, Jenny Holzer, George Hardie, and Gavin Turk are among the many big names taking part this year. The exhibition opens Friday, 8 April and is Free to enter. The records go on sale on Monday, 2 May, on a first come, first served basis. Event details are on facebook.

The Great British Graphic Novel

Cartoon Museum, London, 20 April — 24 July 2016
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David Lloyd; Dave Gibbons; Mary M Talbot and Bryan Talbot; Posy Simmonds

The Cartoon Museum’s new exhibition, The Great British Graphic Novel, looks at the rise of the British Graphic novel. Featuring works by William Hogarth, Kate Charlesworth, Dave Gibbons, Martin Rowson, Posy Simmonds, Bryan and Mary Talbot and many others. To accompany the exhibition, there will be a limited series of free workshops to school groups.

Pick Me Up: Graphic Arts Festival

Somerset House, London, 21 April — 2 May 2016
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Pick Me Up: Graphic Arts Festival

Pick Me Up: Graphic Arts Festival returns for its seventh year, featuring top emerging illustrators and designers as well as more established names in graphic arts. This year Pick Me Up is part of UTOPIA 2016: A Year of Imagination and Possibility, and focuses on the themes of community within the graphic arts.

Seven Kinds of Magic

House of Illustration, London, 29 April — 24 August 2016
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Seven Kinds of Magic, © Quentin Blake

Seven Kinds of Magic is the inaugural exhibition of House of Illustration’s permanent Quentin Blake Gallery. The exhibition, curated by Blake himself, will explore his varied depictions of magic both in his own books and in those of other writers such as Russell Hoban, John Yeoman and Roald Dahl. It will be the only place in the world to see a permanent exhibition of original artwork by Blake.

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