Note: the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration was down to open in May, but that date's now been pushed back slightly, to Friday 5 June 2026.
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration opens in Clerkenwell on 5 June, and it's just announced its starting trio of exhibitions.
What will be the world's largest space dedicated to illustration is just weeks away from curtain up, in a repurposed 18th century waterworks, and though we still don't know the precise opening date, we now have the three initial exhibitions that'll be on display. They are:
Quentin Blake: Performance (June 2026-May 2027)
It's only right that the Centre kicks off with a show featuring the work of Blake himself, who's been instrumental in seeing this space come to life, and was also behind its forerunner, the House of Illustration in Granary Square. You won't be familiar with all these works, however; Performance explores how theatrical traditions have impacted Blake's almost 80-year career, with his early illustrations from theatre reviews (including Laurence Olivier's turn in 1957's The Entertainer), through to the artist's more recent depictions of characters from Macbeth as birds. In all, 100 works will go on show — some, never displayed in public until now. Says Blake: "Illustrating is like directing a play, except that you also get to design the scenery and play all the parts."
MURUGIAH: Ever Feel Like… (June 2026-31 August 2026)
This previously-announced exhibition is a kaleidoscopic escapade into the work of British-Sri Lankan illustrator, artist and designer MURUGIAH, bringing together his love of Hollywood, sci-fi and 2000s era pop-punk — by way of a surreal exploration into identity and mental health. It's his first solo show.
Queer as Comics (June 2026-4 October 2026)
Highlights for this showcase of 60 artists from the 1940s through to today include 007 parody James Blond, aka the "randy dandy with the handy pandy" (see above) and Tove Jansson's Moomin cartoon strip for the London Evening News, with characters based on herself and her lesbian community. Says curator and comics specialist Paul Gravett: "Comics have a long tradition of being subversive: neither art nor literature but using both to make their messages captivate readers. Under the radar, comics lend themselves perfectly to queer themes as brilliantly showcased in the exhibition."
After its launch on Friday 5 June, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be open Wednesdays-Sundays, with tickets costing £16.50 adult/£6.60 child (inc. donation). That gets you entry to all exhibitions on the day. Annual memberships are also available.
