The books we read as children stay in our minds long after the last time we turn the pages. Characters like the Hungry Caterpillar and the Enormous Crocodile, Aslan and the Gruffalo, can be instantly pictured by readers across generations – but the artists who first gave them shape are often less known.
New this year, Hay Festival is thrilled to be hosting an gallery space with originals and prints by some of the greatest book illustrators in Europe.
Director of Hay Festival, Peter Florence, said: “The Gallery is a wonderful space to see how the world is imagined by some of the greats at Hay. Free for everyone to explore, we hope it will break down the barriers between festival-goers and the artists who bring our favourite characters to life.”
All the works are for sale, priced from £30 to £1000.
The Gallery includes original illustrations from the Hay Festival Medal for Fiction 2017 winner Cressida Cowell, the first time the best-selling author has sold her drawings with all the proceeds going to the festival’s Educational Fund.
The winner of the 2018 Hay Medal for Illustration Jackie Morris will be in working from a temporary studio space in The Gallery for the duration of the festival. Morris said, “I would love for people to come and say hello, they can watch me work, ask questions about techniques, flick through my sketchbooks, it’s less intimidating way of connecting with readers.” Her series of otter paintings - made from thunderstorm water collected from the tops of the festival’s tents - are on sale, with proceeds also going to the festival’s Educational Fund.
Also on display is new work from art-punk provocateur, Mr Bingo, described by Vroom Magazine as someone who has “redefined the traditional job of an illustrator”; Michael Czerwinski’s line drawn images and ceramics; Jim Stoten’s surreal graphic works; Rosie Wellesley’s mixed-media illustrations and watercolours; Dave Shelton’s cartoons; Celia Johnson’s paintings; Steven Lenton’s illustrations, Jim Smith's oil paintings and Ed Vere’s screen prints.
There is also a showcase from the 2018 Bologna Illustrators Exhibition, the latest in children’s book illustration talent and trends.
The Gallery is open on-site from 10am until 8pm daily.