Brian Wildsmith Exhibition, Barnsley. Part 1

This week I took a day off, to catch the fabulous exhibition of Brian Wildsmith‘s work over in Barnsley.

It has taken years of planning and more organisation and form-filling than you would care to imagine, in order to get Brian’s original artwork from France to the UK and up to Barnsley, his original hometown.

The exhibition is spread over two spaces, The Cooper Gallery and Experience Barnsley beneath the impressive Town Hall. Each about a 5 minute walk from one another and both about a 10 minute walk from the main station Barnsley Interchange. It’s so easy, I’ve even made you a map !

The Cooper Gallery concentrates on Brian’s art and there’s a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with many of your favourite images.

I loved seeing the original proofs for many of his now famous book and then studying the materials he used and his particular painting style. Always a dream to see another artist’s illustrations right there in front of you. I was probably swooning about 5 times a minute walking round lol

One of my many personal favourites is ‘A Colony of Penguins’ from Brian’s “Birds” book from 1967. I love how the painted snowflakes add an icy chill to the illustration. It really helps to make the image feel realistic.

How beautiful is this colourful explosion of plants concealing a watchful Mr Fox.

One amazing collaboration to happen this year is the range of Brian’s artwork made into repeats by Liberty . Their description explains… Wildsmith’s Wonderful World is a retrospective collection of designs inspired by the late illustrator and picture book creator, Brian Wildsmith. By combining Wildsmith’s imaginative and visually exciting style of storytelling with the Liberty Fabrics Designers’ expertise, our studio team have reimagined his portfolio of charming illustrations. From magnificent jungle creatures and swooping flocks of birds to playful London cityscapes and otherworldly outer-space illustrations, we invite you to experience the expansive magic of Wildsmith’s Wonderful World.

The whole exhibtion is free to enter and it’s on until 4th Jan 2025. Experience Barnsely is open, Tues to Sat, 10am til 4pm and the Cooper Gallery, Mon to Sat, 10am til 4pm. Both Cafes are smart, I had lunch in The Old George Cafe, it was very reasonably priced with lovely food.

Hope you enjoyed part 1 of this Wildsmith journey with me. Part two of my trip, exploring the personal side of Brian’s life in the Experience Barnsley exhibition, will be posted in a day or two. See you then : )