News, Manchester
The LowryCurators have revealed how Sir Quentin Blake broke his own rules to complete a portrait of painter L. S. Lowry for the gallery that bears the famous Mancunian artist’s name.
An exhibition of the work of Sir Quentin, who has written or illustrated over 500 books and is most widely known for his drawings in Roald Dahl’s books, has opened at The Lowry in Salford.
Michael Simpson, the gallery’s director of visual art, said the exhibition featured work from across his career, including a new portrait of the centre’s namesake, which Sir Quentin initially declined to do.
“He was very sweet and he said, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t do drawings of real people unless it’s myself,'” Mr Simpson said.
“Then, a couple of days later, suddenly out of the blue, this drawing appears and it’s Lowry leaning on his stick with his notepad in his hand, which is perfect for this exhibition because that’s what all the kids are doing,” Mr Simpson said.
“And it’s an absolutely charming illustration, which I’m delighted to say he’s presented to The Lowry.”
The LowryMr Simpson said the portrait demonstrated how involved the 92-year-old had been in the development of the exhibition.
In a quote, featured underneath the portrait on the gallery wall, Sir Quentin says: “I can’t express how delighted I was to be asked to draw L.S. Lowry.
“I have learned from experience that drawing likenesses is not something I am best at. However, for some reason I found I could draw Lowry and it was a real pleasure.”
Mr Simpson said the exhibition had an interactive focus aimed at inspiring children and adults to do their own drawing and writing.
He said: “The great thing about Quentin Blake’s work is that there are books published in the 60s and 70s that parents and grandparents remember, but of course there are also the newer books that he’s done that children are reading in school.”
The exhibition is free to attend and runs until January 2026.