Giants and dreams in Chester - Quentin Blake’s ‘BFG in Pictures’ exhibition at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum

A fascinating exhibition at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum of some of Quentin Blake’s early and unknown BFG illustrations will open on 23 July – 2 October.

Quentin Blake is one of best loved and most distinctive illustrators in the country and is well-known for illustrating many of Roald Dahl’s books, including the iconic character of The BFG.  A fascinating exhibition at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum of some of Quentin Blake’s early and unknown BFG illustrations will open on 23 July – 2 October. A sparkling series of free children’s activities about dreams, giants and the power of imagination has also been organised by the Grosvenor Museum and other Chester-based organisations, including a film programme and an immersive children’s activity space. The Museum is grateful for the sponsorship of the Megan Gwynne Jones Trust. There is no cost to enter the Grosvenor Museum or view the BFG exhibition and most activities are free of charge. For more information go to www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk 

The fascinating exhibition of The BFG in Pictures from the House of Ilustration features 40 reproductions of Quentin Blake’s illustrations for Roald Dahl’s much-loved story The BFG. Curated by Quentin Blake, a number of the pictures on display were not used when the book was first published in 1982 but chart the development of one of the most iconic characters in children’s literature and give a glimpse of a BFG that might have been.  Exhibited alongside reproductions of the final illustrations for the book, this exhibition provides a fascinating insight into the collaboration between author and illustrator and the enduring power of imagination. 

At the Grosvenor Museum, visitors are invited to explore a twinkling cavern with rock-lined walls and a giant’s throne, specially designed by artist, Russell Kirk.   

Thanks to the Chester BID, there will be a free children’s film programme featuring films that aim to both inspire wonder and celebrate the power of illustration, including the 2016 ‘BFG’ animated film.  

There will be no cost to view the films in the Museum’s historic lecture theatre. 

Cheshire West Libraries will be holding Roald Dahl-themed book displays (featuring the competition details) and bookshops around Chester will also be supporting this imaginative initiative with related displays. For instance, Northgate Street’s newly-opened, second-hand bookshop, Amblongus Books, will feature a display on illustrators as well as selling some Roald Dahl children’s books.  

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “The power of imagination should never be under-rated - it empowers us to imagine and create the future and so is particularly important for young people. I am delighted that The BFG in Pictures is in Chester inspiring would-be young illustrators. The work, collaboration and sponsorship that has made this exhibition possible is fantastic and I hope that parents and children across the county will come to Chester and ‘dare to dream’.

House of Illustration, soon to evolve into the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, is the UK’s centre for this varied and vital art form. We celebrate illustration in all its forms, support the illustration community and empower people of all ages to tell their stories through images. While we’re between buildings, we’re connecting people with illustration with our touring exhibitions, residencies, online events and collaborations with schools and communities. @illustrationHQ 

Quentin Blake says: “Roald Dahl and I were brought together by our publisher in the 1970s. Roald was an extraordinarily interesting person and a man of action, which is why he was so good at telling stories. He liked to tell stories about things happening, rather than about what people are (were?) thinking or feeling, which was wonderful for me to draw.” 

Megan Gwynne Jones Trust:

This registered charity provides grants to advance the education of the public, especially those living in North Wales and the North West of England, through the promotion of the arts. The charity focuses in particular on facilitating the purchase of works of art for public display and promoting the renovation, conservation and maintenance of works of art for the public benefit.   It has been a regular supporter of Chester’s Grosvenor Museum, significantly contributing to the development of its displays with a range of artworks and furniture. The Trust has previously invested in the conservation of a portrait of the 1st Marquess of Crewe; the exhibition ‘Inspired by Gothic: Ruins, Romance, Revival’ about the gothic revival in Chester; the conservation of etchings by 19th century Chester artist William Monk and watercolours by artist Louise Rayner – all of which have been displayed at the Grosvenor Museum. 

Pictured - Cover artwork for 'The BFG' (1982) © Quentin Blake / Roald Dahl Story Company.