'The BFG in Pictures'


At: York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW

12 October 2018 - 24 February 2019

More info: https://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/exhibition/the-bfg-in-pictures/

York Art Gallery welcomes Roald Dahl's iconic and much-loved fictional character, The Big Friendly Giant, as part of the touring exhibition The BFG in Pictures, curated by Quentin Blake.  The show has enjoyed at two-year UK tour, having first been on show at House of Illustration in London in 2016 to celebrate the centenary of the author's birth.

The exhibition contains 40 original artworks, including rarely-seen unpublished illustrations of the BFG, that provide a unique insight into the development of one of the most iconic characters in children's literature.  Alongside the exhibition, visitors can wander into 'Giant Country', catching phizzwizzards in the BFG's cave and enjoy a story in 'Sophie's Bedroom' as well as participating in a programme of gloriumptious activities and events.

Quentin Blake said: "I was originally commissioned to produce a dozen illustrations for The BFG. After the book had arrived at the printers Roald complained that there were not enough illustrations, and within a few days I produced more than twenty drawings. However, he was still not happy, and so that the pictures could run through the text in quantity I went back to the beginning and started again."

The exhibition is part of The Big Draw Festival 2018, the world's biggest celebration of drawing. Children 16 and under go free with a paying adult.