What’s on: Quentin Blake illustrations go on show at Moyse’s Hall Museum

An array of extraordinary Quentin Blake illustrations – normally found hung on hospital walls – will be unveiled at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds this month

His wondrous and playful illustrations have helped to heal and bring happiness to patients in hospitals from Cambridge to Paris. And now Quentin Blake’s extraordinary art will be displayed for all to see in an exciting exhibition at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds.

Entitled The Illustrated Hospital, the incredible showcase of nearly 80 illustrations created by the world-famous artist for healthcare settings, launches on June 4.

Among the illustrations on show will be nine prints of dragons originally displayed in The Dragon Centre at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, while Quentin’s work in France will be represented by 12 prints from the L’Hopital Armand Trousseu, Paris.

There will also be 10 illustrations from the Thoughts and Memories series, shortly going into care homes across the UK, and poignantly nine prints from the Elliott's Room series originally created for an end-of-life care room at Great Ormond St Hospital.

Quentin Blake is known for his collaboration with writers such as Michael Rosen, Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, John Yeoman and famously, Roald Dahl. Since 2005 he has also begun to make larger-scale work for hospitals in the UK and France but owing to their clinical location relatively few people have seen the drawings.

The exhibition, co-curated with Quentin Blake’s team and the West Suffolk Council-run museum, is being supported with workshops that will see young and old explorers create dragons and other characters inspired by the illustrator’s work.

Further afield, Folksy Theatres will present an outdoor performance of Theatre in the Parks Quentin Blake: Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets at West Stow Country Park on Friday, August 9. Based on the artist’s much-loved book, the fun-filled family play will reveal many of the marvellous things Angelica kept in her never-ending pockets.

The Illustrated Hospital, which is on display through the summer until Sunday, October 6, is one of the most important exhibitions at Moyse’s Hall, enhancing its growing reputation as the home of world-class art. The museum’s Moments and Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour contemporary art exhibitions, featuring original pieces by Banksy, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, attracted more than 50,000 visitors.

We’re sure Quentin Blake’s cheerful illustrations will draw admiring crowds, young and old!

Quentin Blake Illustrated Hospital runs June 4 to October 6. Book timed tickets at moyseshall.org/whats-on or call 01284 758000. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £4.50 concessions (60+), £3 for children (5-16 years) and under 5s free. Moyse’s Hall is open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm (last entry 4pm) and Sunday 12noon – 4pm (last entry 3pm)

Find out more about Theatre in the Parks Quentin Blake: Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets at West Stow Country Park on Friday, August 9 (12noon), at weststow.org/whats-on or call 01284 758000. Tickets cost £12 for adults, £10 for children (5-16yrs) and concessions, and under 5s go free