Touring Roald Dahl exhibition opens in York

York Art Gallery has cut the ribbon of its latest opening The BFG in Pictures, curated by Quentin Blake, illustrator of the famous Roald Dahl book.

The display contains 40 original artworks, including rarely seen unpublished illustrations of the BFG, providing insight into the development of one of the most iconic characters in children’s literature.

The exhibition will be hosted at York Art Gallery until 24th February 2019.

Alongside the works, 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 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 Dahl complained that there were not enough illustrations, and within a few days I produced more than twenty drawings. However, Roald 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.”

These unpublished illustrations will be exhibited alongside the final illustrations for the book, giving an insight into the collaboration between author and illustrator, and a glimpse of a BFG that might have been. 

Kirstie Blything, learning manager, York Museums Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to see illustrations that were never originally published in the book, discover how The BFG developed and learn of how Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl worked together to bring us this larger than life character.”

Group information at York Art Gallery

Group rates are available for those with ten or more people. GTOs can call 01904 687633 for more details.

For more information, visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk.