Quentin Blake: A Hundred Portraits
At: Hastings Contemporary, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW
16 March 2024 - 8 September 2024
More info: https://www.hastingscontemporary.org/events/quentin-blake-100-portraits/
Quentin Blake returns to Hastings Contemporary with an exhibition of one hundred unique imaginary portraits, all of which have been created since the beginning of 2024.
The portraits on display will range from large works in watercolour pencil to postcard-sized pieces in biro. Speaking about the creative process behind these works, Quentin explained, ‘When I start to draw, I might have a sense of whether it will be a man or woman, young or old, but I discover the person while doing it… slowly I begin to meet the person and find out who they are.’
Liz Gilmore, Director of Hastings Contemporary said, “Whoever you are and however you do it, drawing can be transformative! These inspiring words ... in our conversations about the making of this show capture the ethos and intentions of our gallery and the exhibition. Hastings and Rother is a place of astonishing creativity, we are inviting everyone to visit the gallery and make use of our Drawing Hub, a dedicated space for all ages and abilities to enjoy the power of drawing. We launch this show in tandem with the rollout of our local ticket discount to include Rother residents, as well as Hastings residents, so more people than ever can visit the gallery for half price.’
The exhibition marks the start of Hastings Contemporary’s spring season and opens on Saturday 16 March alongside an exhibition of work by leading Ethiopian artist, Elias Sime.
‘For 40 years, I had an ancient house in Hastings Old Town, with boats close by, and then one day they built an art gallery at the bottom of the street. I have spent a lot of time over the years creating commissioned work, and Hastings Contemporary has inspired in me a freedom to make work for myself. Next year the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will open in London, but Hastings will always be my spiritual home.’ - Quentin Blake
All the original 'A Hundred Portraits' artworks in the show will be for sale, with prices starting at just a few hundred pounds. More details will be released soon on Hastings Contemporary's website.
Installation photos (above) are (c) Chip Creative, 2024