The Story of the Ladybird Artists 1940-75 Exhibition

Some exhibitions draw you in with the magnetic pull of nostalgia. ‘The Story of the Ladybird Artists 1940-75’ at the Beaney is certainly one of these. As you weave your way between the book jackets and the watercolour paintings you’ll hear cries of “I remember this one!” and "That one was my favourite!"

There is something so reassuring about those designs – the layouts, the colour schemes, the figurative style. It transports us to early memories of cosy days spent curled up with familiar books. It connects us to when the turn of the page, rather than the swipe of the screen, was what absorbed us.

The artists who illustrated these books (and they truly are great artists) had real skills of draftsmanship and colour selection. Just look at C F Tunnicliffe’s rustic painting of Autumn and the beautiful preliminary sketches by John Berry which are on display.

The Ladybird Artists exhibition is created from a collection owned by Helen Day (who also curated the show). Day has acquired a vast range of memorabilia including books, letters and paintings that were central to the development of this publishing phenomenon.

The letter by artist John Leigh-Pemberton, in which he bemoans spending his time and talents illustrating children’s book is intriguing to read, as are the correspondences from Ladybird visionary and editor Douglas Keen. Material of this nature adds an extra dimension to the history of these books.

Helen Day has amassed a substantial collection – as the ‘wall of books’ testifies. Here we see row upon row of colourful imagery which jostles for our attention, representing a huge collage of memories. Seeing Day’s collection together provides a unique opportunity to explore the energy, ethos and output of the Ladybird brand.

This exhibition celebrates the iconic and instantly recognisable style of the Ladybird books and it reintroduces us to the many artists who painted a part of our childhood.

'The Story of the Ladybird Artists 1940-75', is at the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury until 23 September 2018

It is open Tue-Sun and admission is free