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Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake Exhibition Now Open at WWT Slimbridge

WWT Slimbridge are delighted to have opened their Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake exhibition on 21 July 2023.

The exhibition is part of a partnership between renowned illustrator Sir Quentin Blake and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

Throughout the partnership, “Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT”, WWT Slimbridge will run three seasonal trails with guides using illustrations of watery nature from Quentin Blake to help inspire visitors to view the wonder of wetland nature in a different way.

Each of the trails, Spring/Summer, Autumn, and Winter, highlight the amazing nature that arrives each season, showcasing new life, sparkling water and visiting birds, helping everyone experience nature in new, unexpected ways through Quentin Blake’s work.

These trails will run alongside a range of art and illustration activities to inspire all ages and abilities, helping everyone experience nature in new, unexpected ways.

WWT Slimbridge is among the four sites hosting the exhibition of some of Quentin Blake’s wetland-themed artworks, which is now on display in their gallery, within the Visitor Centre.

There are images on display using everything from pens, inks and washes to quills from the birds he has illustrated to help bring their subjects to life. The selection of 54 prints on display provide a unique glimpse into Quentin’s view of wetlands and of how we humans interact with their wildlife, plants and water. The exhibition will be on display until 16 September 2023.

Both the exhibition and the seasonal trails will offer a chance to explore some of Quentin’s lesser-known work on a theme that has intrigued him throughout his life: birds.

Commenting on the partnership Quentin Blake said:
“I am delighted to be sharing my pictures with WWT sites and their visitors through the Drawn to Water experience. This project appealed to me because I have a lifelong fascination of drawing wetland wildlife, especially birds.  “I can't quite explain why but it may be because like us, they are on two legs and have expressive gestures. The drawings you will see are from my own personal archive, and many have rarely been seen in public before.  “Through Drawn to Water I hope that seeing my artwork in places where these creatures are thriving will allow new audiences to enjoy wetland wildlife as much as I do, perhaps prompting a few people to pick up a pen, pencil or even a quill and do their own drawing.”

Explore Gloucestershire
21 July 2023

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