What do you think?
Rate this book
Quentin Blake: In the Theatre of the Imagination: An Artist at Work
Quentin Blake is one of the foremost illustrators of the twentieth century. Best known for his collaboration with Roald Dahl on books such as The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me , The Twits , and Matilda , he is cherished by young and old alike.
Still, his work has not attained "fine art" status. How does Blake's background in education inform his work? And what is the relationship between the work he makes and the life he leads? Distinguished curator Ghislaine Kenyon spent a great deal of time with Blake and in this biography, she provides profound insight into an extraordinary man and his remarkable body of work.
A shared enthusiasm for education brought Kenyon and Blake together. Kenyon staged a jointly curated exhibition, Tell Me A Picture , during Blake's tenure as Children's Laureate (1999–2001). She followed Blake during the years he continued to work "off the page," producing work for hospitals in Angers and Paris and staging major exhibitions around the world. Kenyon shows that Blake's life informs his illustrations and his artwork, in turn, informs his life--a life which is extremely private, mysterious, and full of complexities and ambiguities.
Kenyon has produced not merely a biography but a critical view of the artist's work. This book is a fitting tribute to Quentin Blake's journey and to his great artistic legacy.
Still, his work has not attained "fine art" status. How does Blake's background in education inform his work? And what is the relationship between the work he makes and the life he leads? Distinguished curator Ghislaine Kenyon spent a great deal of time with Blake and in this biography, she provides profound insight into an extraordinary man and his remarkable body of work.
A shared enthusiasm for education brought Kenyon and Blake together. Kenyon staged a jointly curated exhibition, Tell Me A Picture , during Blake's tenure as Children's Laureate (1999–2001). She followed Blake during the years he continued to work "off the page," producing work for hospitals in Angers and Paris and staging major exhibitions around the world. Kenyon shows that Blake's life informs his illustrations and his artwork, in turn, informs his life--a life which is extremely private, mysterious, and full of complexities and ambiguities.
Kenyon has produced not merely a biography but a critical view of the artist's work. This book is a fitting tribute to Quentin Blake's journey and to his great artistic legacy.
- GenresNonfictionArt
256 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2014
6 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2022
An interesting analysis of Blake’s life and work
October 5, 2019
This is a beautifully constructed book by Ghislaine Kenyon. She has very successfully organised the book around themes in Quentin Blake's life and work. Other than the font and the density of the text on the page, she has made a very readable work, as well as one to gaze upon and appreciate all over again the genius of Blake's art. It is also a tribute. I suspect it is hard not to be gushy, but she tries - these days his reluctance to travel long distance and particularly not fly is laudable when previously it may have frustrated potential audiences. He's not keen on swimming ("just wallowing") despite his especially glorious 'swimming' works. He is not, or was not, in old fashioned parlance, 'right-on' but it is clear that he listens carefully and makes changes implicitly so that his work beautifully embraces diversity.
The chapter on 'Healing', his work for health care settings, suggests this single childless man, an artist, has insights professionals lack (although he stimulates those insights in others with his work)
The chapter on 'Healing', his work for health care settings, suggests this single childless man, an artist, has insights professionals lack (although he stimulates those insights in others with his work)
August 11, 2019
42 WORD REVIEW:
Quentin Blake’s art is distinctive and greatly beloved. Kenyon’s analysis-cum-tribute focusses on how Blake’s personality—his Francophilia and appreciation of literature; his positive outlook and playful, empathic eye for other people’s experiences; his quiet attentiveness and generous spirit—manifests in his work.
Quentin Blake’s art is distinctive and greatly beloved. Kenyon’s analysis-cum-tribute focusses on how Blake’s personality—his Francophilia and appreciation of literature; his positive outlook and playful, empathic eye for other people’s experiences; his quiet attentiveness and generous spirit—manifests in his work.
June 29, 2021
inspiring to be so loose and true to ones creativity
November 13, 2025
Quentin Blake is a famous illustrator, best known for his work with the children’s author Roald Dahl.
Ghislaine Kenyon is a former teacher, the author of The Arts in Primary Education, and a collaborator with Blake. She was formerly Deputy Head of Education at the National Gallery and then Head of Learning at Somerset House.
Kenyon has produced a rich and engrossing study of Blake’s work across the decades, and the different projects that Blake contributed to in the UK and France.
Her book allows the reader to see the breadth, depth, imagination, and scope of Blake’s work. There are fine drawings and photos throughout the book.
Though a rather private person, we do learn a little about the person behind the artist and his motivation for his creations. Blake is famous for his wonderful illustrations for children’s books, but he has also illustrated texts for adult readers. He has been involved in creating artwork in community spaces such as hospitals, schools and charities.
Blake emerges as a sensitive and generous soul who knows and celebrates the power of art to improve and create better lives in our society.
Creativity and invention should be celebrated and promoted so that people can feel better and restore a sense of playfulness and vitality to their lives. Art should be a central tenet of people’s lives and their communities. Art can be a healer and a form of nourishment.
Ghislaine Kenyon is a former teacher, the author of The Arts in Primary Education, and a collaborator with Blake. She was formerly Deputy Head of Education at the National Gallery and then Head of Learning at Somerset House.
Kenyon has produced a rich and engrossing study of Blake’s work across the decades, and the different projects that Blake contributed to in the UK and France.
Her book allows the reader to see the breadth, depth, imagination, and scope of Blake’s work. There are fine drawings and photos throughout the book.
Though a rather private person, we do learn a little about the person behind the artist and his motivation for his creations. Blake is famous for his wonderful illustrations for children’s books, but he has also illustrated texts for adult readers. He has been involved in creating artwork in community spaces such as hospitals, schools and charities.
Blake emerges as a sensitive and generous soul who knows and celebrates the power of art to improve and create better lives in our society.
Creativity and invention should be celebrated and promoted so that people can feel better and restore a sense of playfulness and vitality to their lives. Art should be a central tenet of people’s lives and their communities. Art can be a healer and a form of nourishment.
September 11, 2016
Great Portrait
This book beautifully encapsulates a life with its roots, work, magic and influences. Builds appreciation for the work of imagination and passion that was Quentin Blake.
This book beautifully encapsulates a life with its roots, work, magic and influences. Builds appreciation for the work of imagination and passion that was Quentin Blake.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews