Beyond the Page

Quentin Blake taught for many years at the Royal College of Art, where he was head of the Illustration Department from 1978 to 1986. As well as being known for his collaborations with writers such as Russell Hoban and Roald Dahl, his own creations, such as Mister Magnolia, have contributed to his reputation as one of the world's leading illustrators and an inspiration for artists everywhere. He was, in the words of The Guardian, 'already a national institution' when he was appointed the first Children's Laureate in 1999. He is particularly engaged in enabling art to reach a young audience, as was the case with the immensely popular touring exhibition 'Tell Me a Picture' held at the National Gallery in 2001.