Atkins Gallery to host Quentin Blake: Book Covers exhibition

The exhibition opens on Saturday 28 September (10am to 2pm) and runs until Friday 25 October in the Atkins Gallery.

Many will be familiar with Blake’s work, whether it be his own children’s books, his famous illustrations for Roald Dahl or the many literary classics he has designed covers for.

There will be activities for younger visitors to enjoy alongside the exhibition, including a Quentin Blake jigsaw to sit and do, a mini reading library (courtesy of Hinckley Library) and a ‘design your own book covers’ colouring activity.

The exhibition’s final week falls during the Leicestershire half-term break (21-25 October), so great for the kids, but the scope of Blake’s career means the exhibition will be for people of all ages to enjoy.

Visitors can also enjoy some refreshments in the Hansom Café, open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm.

Cllr Mark Bools, Deputy Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, said: “It’s an honour for the Atkins Gallery to be chosen as a host venue for this Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration exhibition.

“We are proud of the Atkins Gallery as a venue that showcases incredible art and culture. The legendary work of Quentin Blake is a perfect example of this, and we look forward to seeing you all there.”

Free to enter, the Atkins Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Additional weekend hours are published on the Atkins Building website (www.atkinsbuilding.co.uk).

From the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration: 

Quentin Blake’s career illustrating books began over 60 years ago with his covers for paperback fiction. Since then he has created hundreds of designs for everything from literary classics to his own picture books. 

Each cover is a new challenge for Blake. He has to capture the essence of a story without giving away too much of the plot or the ending. His illustrations need to be carefully balanced with the title and suitable for the printing process that will be used. At the same time, Blake’s designs must be eye-catching and appealing to the changing tastes of different readers. 

This exhibition features 60 of Blake’s book covers from the 1960s to the present: from mid-century Penguin paperbacks to finely-crafted special editions and family-friendly poetry books. First editions are shown alongside reproductions of original artwork from Blake’s archive that show how he combines typography, dynamic layouts and his unique way of drawing to create playful designs. 

Quentin Blake: Book Covers is a touring exhibition from Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.