House of Illustration

Who we are

House of Illustration is the UK’s only public gallery dedicated to illustration and graphic art. Founded by Sir Quentin Blake it opened in July 2014 in King’s Cross, London. Over the five years since then House of Illustration has developed its position as a significant cultural force, representing and championing the very best of an art form that, in spite of its rich heritage, contemporary significance and broad appeal, is rarely explored by other museums and galleries. 

We curate six exhibitions a year across three gallery spaces, exploring contemporary and historic illustration and the work of both emerging and defining illustrators. We run a pioneering learning programme for schools, young people, families and adults, delivered by professional illustrators. We support emerging talent by commissioning new work, running the UK’s only residency for illustrators and graphic artists, hosting summer and winter fairs, and running the international Book Illustration Competition in partnership with The Folio Society. We put on talks and events with some of the world’s leading illustrators and run a successful retail operation.