Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration Opens as World's Largest Illustration Centre

The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration opens today in London as the world’s largest space dedicated to illustration with a range of free displays.  

Situated at the base of the historic Dunard Engine House, the UK’s first dedicated public illustration library also includes space where visitors can read hundreds of books, comics, graphic novels, picturebooks and zines.

A rotating display of contemporary artwork is launched by illustrator Sophy Hollington as the first featured artist who is inspired by medieval alchemy manuscripts, European folktales and Old English poetry.

Special exhibitions are ticketed. With one ticket, visitors will be able to view more than 100 original and rarely-seen drawings in Quentin Blake: Performance showcasing the theatrical influences on the eponymous popular illustrator's work of circus, panto, Greek comedy and Shakespearean drama, and see the first major exhibition on queer comic-making in the UK spanning 1940s to the current day in Queer as Comics.

The Centre’s opening follows the redevelopment of a derelict 18th and 19th century waterworks at New River Head in Clerkenwell, London, a £12.5m project.

“We celebrate a landmark opening," said Director Lindsey Glen, "a permanent national centre for an artform that is used every day, all over the world, to share stories and ideas. We are so excited to welcome our first visitors. We hope to inspire them to look at the world afresh and empower them with new creative skills and tools of their own. 

“We're so grateful to Quentin Blake who has tirelessly championed illustration and spearheaded this project, to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and to the philanthropists and grantmakers who have made this  possible."