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Compton Verney, the art gallery in a renovated 18th-century mansion in Warwickshire, is to hold two new exhibitions – one of paintings and drawings by a favourite illustrator, the other a celebration of fireworks. Quentin Blake – As large as Life brings together more than 60 works by one of Britain’s best-loved and most successful illustrators. Blake is best known for his illustrations for Roald Dahl’s books, but this exhibition also includes recent work commissioned by hospitals and designed to have a therapeutic effect on patients.
There will also be a specially commissioned family room decorated with examples of Blake’s illustrations for Dahl’s books and his recent designs for wallpapers.
The other exhibition, Remember, remember: A history of fireworks, will be the first to explore Britain’s November 5th celebrations through the history of fire festivals, the ‘gunpowder plot’ of 1605 and the advertising and packaging of domestic fireworks from the 20th century.
The British have celebrated Guy Fawkes Night (5 November) with fireworks since some Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in November 1605. The Thanksgiving Act made it compulsory (until 1859) to celebrate the deliverance of the King of England, Scotland and Ireland with fire festivals across Britain.
Visitors will also be able to see the extensive collection of old fireworks collected by Maurice Evans. A firework collector since childhood and now in his eighties, Maurice has collected vintage boxes and fireworks over many years. He explains: ‘It all started with my father who was in munitions in the First World War. He had a big trunk with little drawers, and in those drawers I found diagrams explaining how to work with explosives and it intrigued me.’ After World War Two, Maurice teamed up with a pyrotechnician and they travelled the country giving displays.
Compton Verney has six permanent collections as well as a changing exhibition programme. The mansion stands in 50 hectares (120 acres) of Grade 2 listed classical parkland, designed by the eminent landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. The house is open Tue–Sun 11am–5pm until 11 December. Admission, including entry to the grounds and these exhibitions, costs £11 adults, £8.80 concessions, £2 children, £22 family ticket.
The two exhibitions, Remember, remember: A history of fireworks in Britain and Quentin Blake – As large as life, run from 15 October to 11 December.
Compton Verney, Warwickshire CV35 9HZ
Tel: +44 1926 645500
Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk
Facebook: Compton Verney
Twitter: ComptonVerney
You Tube: comptonverneyart
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