Quentin Blake is opening an illustration gallery in Clerkenwell

The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be opening in 2026

After setting up a charity for illustration in 2002 and running the House of Illustration in King’s Cross from 2014 to 2020, Sir Quentin Blake is finally opening a gallery dedicated to the art form in 2026. Taking over an 18th century waterworks in Clerkenwell, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be the largest space of its kind, with three galleries showcasing the breadth and depth of illustration through regularly rotating exhibitions, plus a library, garden and cafe.

The first exhibition to be announced is MURUGIAH: Ever Feel Like…, the first solo show on the illustrator and designer that reflects his love of sci-fi, Hollywood film, anime and 2000s-era pop punk. The other displays will feature works from Blake’s own archive as well as rarely-seen historical and contemporary pieces from international collections.

Speaking about the gallery opening, Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration’s director Lindsey Glen said: “Every day, people all over the world use illustration to share stories and ideas – to communicate, express, inform and persuade. Now, there will be a place where everyone can explore this important, yet overlooked art form, filled with imaginative exhibitions, installations, books, play and making.”

With the V&A East also opening in the spring, culture lovers have got a lot to look forward to in 2026.

Key Information

Opening date | May 2026
Address | 28 Amwell St, London EC1R 1XU
For more information | qbcentre.org.uk