The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, a vast new arts space founded by the celebrated illustrator Quentin Blake, opens this week in a former waterworks at the historic New River Head site in Islington, north London. The centre features a permanent gallery dedicated to Blake's works, with an opening show titled "Quentin Blake: Performance" (5 June–1 April 2027) exploring his theatrical influences, alongside temporary exhibitions including "Queer as Comics" (5 June–4 October) showcasing LGBTQ+ comics and graphic novels, and a solo show by Sri-Lankan-Welsh artist Murugiah. The £12.5m project was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the London Borough of Islington, and several foundations.
This launch matters because it establishes a major permanent institution dedicated to illustration and graphic arts in London, a field often underrepresented in museum contexts. By housing Blake's 40,000-strong archive and offering both permanent and rotating exhibitions, the centre elevates illustration as a serious art form and provides a dedicated space for public engagement, education, and LGBTQ+ perspectives in comics. It also secures the legacy of one of Britain's most beloved illustrators while fostering new talent through collaborations with contemporary artists.