Edward Bawden Storyteller

 

On my way to Orso Major to deliver more work, I made a little detour and visited a lovely little exhibition a ten minute walk away that was packed with Edward Bawden gems, many of which I had never seen before. The show is at Morley College and is entitled "Edward Bawden Storyteller".

Bawden was one of the biggest influences on my work as an illustrator and lino-cut printmaker, and what is really nice about this exhibition is that Morley College, was one of the venues where I used to print my linos. The work of Bawden and his great friend Eric Ravilious is very popular at the moment so I should imagine that this show will be very well attended.

There are examples of Bawden's distinctive work in a variety of media - advertisement line drawings, linocuts, watercolour designs for stage and murals, book illustration and poster design.

It was so good to see Bawden's original illustrations and compare these with the finished printed posters to see what alterations and adjustments the printers had to make in colour and design to produce the finished posters. It was also interesting to see Bawden's venture into textiles with the Bunyan tapestry design below, and two small colourful tapestries resulting from his visit to Egypt.

Although the linocuts are my favourites, the etchings are lovely it was great to get up close and examine the superb cross-hatching and line work in them. The concentration required must have been quite intense as the line work is so precise and dense in areas.

There is also on display the large mural of Scarborough which Bawden created from a combination of collaged maps and watercolour painting, and a charming Peepshow panorama of a Scarborough beach scene. Two documentary films about Bawden's life and work are being screened in the exhibition space. Another revelation in the exhibition are the personal, quirky illustrations he created as greetings cards for close friends.

This exhibition is apparently the first major survey of Bawden's work since the larger retrospective held at the V&A in 1989. I found it very inspiring and well worth a visit. If possible do remember to take the opportunity to go into the main Morley College building to see his wonderful murals in the refectory there too.

Edward Bawden Storyteller
runs until 26th November
Morley College
61 Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1