The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be in Clerkenwell.
On your marks, get set, sketch. The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is set to open in May 2026. Located in Clerkenwell, London, it will include three galleries within a former waterworks. The venue will showcase the art of illustration and host regular exhibitions.
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be free to visit and will feature public gardens, displays and an illustration library. The collection will include original works from both established and emerging artists, as well as pieces from Quentin’s own archive.
The exhibitions will explore social, political and cultural themes, featuring rarely seen historic and contemporary works from international collections. The museum will launch its first exhibition, MURUGIAH: Ever Feel Like…, though it has not yet confirmed the dates. The show will explore identity and mental health through prints, paintings and sketches, marking the first solo exhibition by illustrator, artist and designer Murugiah. His work brings together his love of Hollywood film, sci-fi, Japanese anime and 2000s-era pop-punk.
After immersing yourself in the art, you can refuel at the on-site café, which will serve fresh food in the beautifully restored surroundings. A gift shop will also offer a variety of illustrated treasures.
Quentin Blake, who was born in Kent, built his reputation by illustrating children’s books, most famously those written by Roald Dahl. Over his career, he has illustrated more than 300 books and, in 2022, received the Hans Christian Andersen Award for his outstanding contribution to illustration. He was also the inaugural British Children’s Laureate.
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GO: Visit https://qbcentre.org.uk for more information.