Horace Panter: The Beano 80th Birthday Collection

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Dennis and Gnasher, Minnie the Minx and Billy Whizz might not be obvious artistic muses but, that is all set to change in a collaboration between classic children’s comic Beano, and artist and legendary bassist, Horace Panter. 

In its 80th year, Pop-Artist Panter, bassist of 2-tone super band The Specials, has sent the notorious gang of iconic British comic book characters into the worlds of Warhol, Lichtenstein and Hockney in a new collection of paintings and silkscreen prints. The collection is coming to Red House Originals in Harrogate for the first time and will feature some previously unseen works. Running from 23rd November to 15th December, all artworks will be available for purchase for the duration of the exhibition. 

The pieces took the artist six months to create in his Coventry studio, carefully adding the beloved cartoons into the settings of some of his favourite Pop Art pieces. You can spot Minnie the Minx as a Warhol starlet, Lord Snooty as an iconic character in the style of a Roy Lichtenstein painting and Dennis and Gnasher making mischief in Hockney’s LA swimming pool. 

Richard McTague, Managing Director of RedHouse Originals, said:

“This playful exhibition, putting the Bash St Kids into reimagined historic Pop Art paintings, is colourful and lots fun; exactly the kind of cheer we need as the winter nights close in.

“We’re really excited to be showing to adults and children, Beano and Pop Art fans alike, these original new works, some of which have never before been publicly shown.”

Horace Panter, Artist, said: 

“Growing up, The Beano was always around; those characters were an integral part of my childhood. Dennis, Minnie and, my personal favourites, the Bash Street Kids – street smart, irreverent anti-heroes for the under 12s; when punk rock came long it seemed like the Beano set to music! I’d like to think the paintings are funny and irreverent but paying homage to both my favourite artists and to the comic characters. For me, it’s the ultimate labour of love.”

Allison Watkins, EVP Global Consumer Products & TV Distribution at Beano Studios comments: “Over the past 80 years, Beano has been the visual soundtrack to British childhood. Whether in the forties, seventies, or noughties, our characters have paved the way for fun and raucous adventures, making this partnership with Horace Panter the perfect fit and a wonderful way to celebrate this big Beano birthday.”