Last Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of ‘Ladybird by Design’ at the House of Illustration, which I recently joined as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The exhibition marks the centenary of Ladybird design with over 120 original illustrations from Ladybird titles from the late 1950s to the early 70s, including classics such as ‘People at Work’, ‘Shopping with Mother’, ‘Science’, ‘Nature’, ‘Well Loved Tales’ and ‘Key Words’.
Image via London College of Communication Blog © Lewis Bush
Lawrence Zeegen, Professor of Illustration at London College of Communication, has done an excellent job in putting the exhibition together – alongside fellow curator Jane Won – having first produced the centenary book Ladybird by Design.
Unparalleled in their perfectly observed attention to detail and unique sense of place, the books captured a very British childhood and demonstrate the power of illustration to open up the world to children and their parents, grandparents and teachers alike.
Seeing the original illustrations will, I am sure, prove nostalgic for many, as we relive moments of our childhood. The exhibition offers a glimpse into a unique slice of Britain’s visual history.
Lawerence Zeegen will be taking part in a free talk on his book Ladybird by Design on Wednesday.
See the House of Illustration website for more details on the exhibition and events, or find out more in the exhibition’s accompanying film:
