News | November 3, 2025

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration to open in May 2026

Artist's impression of how the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will look

The management team of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has confirmed that it will open its doors to the public in Clerkenwell, London, in May next year.

What is believed will become the world’s largest dedicated space for illustration, the Centre will present regularly changing exhibitions across three galleries. Set in the grounds of a former 18th century waterworks, the Centre will also be the UK’s only permanent place for illustration. The site’s historic buildings are being estored and repurposed by Tim Ronalds Architects.

The first exhibition will be MURUGIAH: Ever Feel Like… which will be illustrator, artist and designer MURUGIAH's first solo exhibition and focus on his fascination with Hollywood film, sci-fi, Japanese anime and 2000s era pop-punk.

The idea for the Centre came from leading UK illustrator Quentin Blake who established a charity for illustration in 2002. This led to House of Illustration operating between 2014-2020 from rented space in King’s Cross.

©Justin Piperger

Interior of Coal Stores Gallery under renovation

Quentin Blake at House of Illustration

Artist's impression of the exhibition space at the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

Artist's impression of the terrace at the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

“I have long dreamt of a permanent place with “ILLUSTRATION” above the door," he said, "and now the amazing reality is that we have it. I am proud to think the Centre has my name on it. Illustration is a wonderful universal and varied language. Here we shall celebrate its traditions and welcome the astonishing diversity of visual language from across the world."

In early 2026, the centre will announce additional opening exhibitions which will feature rarely-seen historic and contemporary works from international collections. Original illustrations from leading and emerging illustrators, including work loaned from Blake’s own archive, will also be displayed.

A free library, learning spaces and introductory displays to illustration will also be available, while illustrator and community residencies will also be hosted.