Edward Bawden: Storyteller

About

Morley Gallery presents the first major retrospective of Edward Bawden's work for over 25 years. Edward Bawden: Storyteller explores Bawden's exceptional ability to tell stories through his work, often in surprising ways. The exhibition, guest-curated by Bawden experts Peyton Skipwith and Alan Powers, will include some of his better-known book covers, advertisements, theatre designs and linocut prints, alongside rarely-seen items, including miniature storybooks created by Bawden for his own children, featuring fables about ants and beetles. Morley Gallery, the public exhibition space of Morley College, is a fitting setting for the retrospective, with a connection to the artist dating back to his student days. In 1928, Bawden, along with his contemporary, Eric Ravilious, was commissioned to create a mural for the Refectory of Morley College at the rate of £1 a day. The mural was officially launched by former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin in 1930, but was later destroyed by bomb damage during World War II. Bawden returned to the College to create a second series of murals in 1958, and his witty interpretation of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales remains on the walls of the Refectory to this day. Visitors to the Private View will be able to enjoy refreshments within the Refectory surroundings during the exhibition.