New drawings of old friends, coming to auction at Bonhams
Friday 1st March 2024
Quentin has illustrated some of the most recognisible, iconic book characters over his 70 year career as an artist. Now he returns to 12 of these old friends and has drawn them once again for a very special online auction at Bonhams to support the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.
Each new drawing is in Quentin’s characteristic line and watercolour wash, and has been signed and dated by the artist. The 'old friends' chosen for the set include beloved characters by Roald Dahl such as Matilda and The BFG, as well as Mister Magnolia, Mrs Armitage and others from Quentin's own books.
All money raised from the sale will go to support the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, the new venue which is being created in Clerkenwell in restored historic buildings at New River Head. The Centre still has some way to go to achieve its fundraising target which will allow it to open its doors to the public in 2025 and realise its dream to become the UK's flagship centre for illustration in all its forms. Ahead of the sale, Director Lindsey Glen explained more about the Centre, and her experience of working with Quentin, in Bonhams' Artist 101: 7 Things to Know about Quentin Blake.
From Monday 4 March these unique original artworks will be offered for sale as 'A Dozen New Drawings of Old Friends: A Fundraising sale for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration'.
Each new drawing is in Quentin’s characteristic line and watercolour wash, and has been signed and dated by the artist. The 'old friends' chosen for the set include beloved characters by Roald Dahl such as Matilda and The BFG, as well as Mister Magnolia, Mrs Armitage and others from Quentin's own books.
All money raised from the sale will go to support the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, the new venue which is being created in Clerkenwell in restored historic buildings at New River Head. The Centre still has some way to go to achieve its fundraising target which will allow it to open its doors to the public in 2025 and realise its dream to become the UK's flagship centre for illustration in all its forms. Ahead of the sale, Director Lindsey Glen explained more about the Centre, and her experience of working with Quentin, in Bonhams' Artist 101: 7 Things to Know about Quentin Blake.
From Monday 4 March these unique original artworks will be offered for sale as 'A Dozen New Drawings of Old Friends: A Fundraising sale for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration'.
Further details are available on Bonhams website. Bidding opens at 12pm on 4 March, until 14 March 2024.