The United Kingdom's first permanent center dedicated to the art of illustration will open its doors to the public next May in London. The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be housed in the historic New River Head, an 18th-century former waterworks facility located in Clerkenwell, right next to the famous Sadler's Wells Theatre.
The new center will feature an impressive array of facilities including beautifully landscaped public gardens, three distinct galleries for exhibitions, and a specialized illustration library. Visitors will also be able to enjoy refreshments at an on-site café and browse unique items at a dedicated shop focused on illustration-related merchandise.
Renowned artist Quentin Blake, who first established the charity behind this project back in 2002, previously operated the House of Illustration from 2014 to 2020 in rented spaces in the Kings Cross area of London. Blake expressed his excitement about the permanent venue, saying, "I have long dreamt of a permanent place with illustration above the door, and now the amazing reality is that we have it. I am proud to think the center has my name on it – illustration is a wonderful universal and varied language. Here we shall celebrate its traditions and welcome the astonishing diversity of visual language from across the world. Hurrah!"
The ambitious £12.5 million project has secured significant funding from multiple sources. The National Lottery Heritage Fund contributed £3.75 million to the initiative, while additional investment came from the London Borough of Islington along with generous support from various trusts, foundations, and private philanthropists. Tim Ronalds Architects is currently overseeing the careful restoration and repurposing of the Grade II-listed Engine House that will house the center.
The center will launch with a compelling temporary exhibition showcasing the works of illustrator, artist, and designer Murugiah. This inaugural show explores themes of identity and mental health through newly commissioned artworks that reflect Murugiah's unique background, drawing inspiration from both their Sri Lankan heritage and Welsh upbringing.
Lindsey Glen, director of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, emphasized the importance of this new cultural institution: "Every day, people all over the world use illustration to share stories and ideas – to communicate, express, inform and persuade. Now, there will be a place where everyone can explore this important-yet-overlooked artform, filled with imaginative exhibitions, installations, books, play and making." The center aims to celebrate illustration as a vital form of visual communication that has often been underappreciated in the art world, providing a dedicated space for both education and inspiration.
