Issued: 2 November 2017

Record breaking exhibition at The Salisbury Museum

On 16 September The Salisbury Museum, the Estate of Sir Terry Pratchett and Paul Kidby, opened an exclusive major exhibition ‘Terry Pratchett: HisWorld’. Within two weeks of opening, a record 2,700 visitors had been to experience the show, quite literally coming from all four corners of the earth to honour Sir Terry.

This major exhibition explores the life of Sir Terry Pratchett, giving a privileged insight into the man who created some of literature’s most enduringly popular fantasy worlds and characters. To be able to hold this exhibition at Salisbury Museum is very relevant to Terry’s story. Terry moved to what he described as a ‘Domesday manorette’ near Salisbury in 1993. His affinity with the Chalke Valley is reflected in the books he wrote. He drew on his personal experiences and fascination with the chalk downland when creating his characters and stories, especially the Tiffany Aching novels. Terry was also a patron of a number of local causes and was actively involved with local communities.

Rob Wilkins, manager of Sir Terry’s estate, said ‘we are absolutely overjoyed at both the number of people who have visited the exhibition, and their feedback on getting to explore Terry’s world. We all believed this exhibition would be popular, but to see it succeed on this scale is marvellous. Terry meant the world to his fans, but so many visitors previously unfamiliar with his work have also taken both him and his creations into their hearts.’

The exhibition features artwork by Terry himself, and over 40 stunning original paintings and drawings by Paul Kidby, Terry’s artist of choice. Paul has designed the book jackets since 2002 and has illustrated many Discworld publications including the 2001 novella and The Art of Discworld.

Paul’s work also features in an exhibition ‘Paul Kidby: The Charmed Realm’, which runs alongside the ‘HisWorld’ exhibition until Saturday 6 January 2018 and features Paul’s illustrations from the book by Paul and his wife Vanessa.

One of the major talking points has proved to be the full-size recreation of Terry’s office - known as The Chapel - quite literally the place where so many of his books began their life. For the visitor, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Terry’s world as he worked and the objects in situ with which he chose to surround himself.

We are also thrilled to announce the launch of Paul Kidby’s latest book ‘Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Imaginarium’. Paul has collected the very best of his Discworld illustrations in this definitive volume, including 40 pieces of never- before-seen art, 30 pieces that have only appeared in foreign editions, limited editions and Book Club editions, and 17 book cover illustrations since 2004 that are reproduced without cover text.

Sir Terry Pratchett himself once said that Kidby’s art is ‘the closest anyone’s got to how I see the characters’. If Terry Pratchett’s pen gave his characters life, Paul Kidby’s brush allowed them to live it, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in this magnificent book.

The 272-page full-colour volume (along with Special and Deluxe editions) will be available at a special launch event celebrating 25 years of Kidby Discworld art on 25 November at Salisbury Museum. Paul will be there in person to sign copies, along with Rob Wilkins, Manager of Sir Terry Pratchett’s estate.

Paul Kidby says, ‘I am delighted to present the DISCWORLD IMAGINARIUM: a comprehensive collection of my favourite illustrations painstakingly selected after many weeks spent rummaging through my portfolios. The resulting pages of this book not only look back at works past, they also look forward – with newly created artworks in celebration of the amazing ongoing legacy that Sir Terry Pratchett created for us all.’

All in all, a wonderful opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the life and times of one of our greatest and most popular writers.

ENDS

Image: ‘Discworld Massif’ A group portrait of over 70 favourite characters from Discworld © Copyright 2014 Paul Kidby www.paulkidby.com

Exhibitions:

Terry Pratchett: HisWorld 16 September 2017 – 14 January 2018

Paul Kidby: The Charmed Realm 2 September 2017 – 6 January 2018

Normal admission charges apply £7.50 Adult, £3.60 Child, £18.50 Family Tickets can be purchased online http://salisbury.merlintickets.co.uk/product/ADMW000004

Events:

Discworld Fandom: Stranger than Fiction? A talk by Pat Harkin Thursday 9 November, 6.30pm Tickets £8 Members, £10 Non-Members

Book Launch for ‘Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Imaginarium’ by Paul Kidby Saturday 25 November, 1pm – 4pm Free entry to the launch, otherwise normal admission charges apply

Terry Pratchett: HisWorld in Building Bricks Saturday 9 December, 10am – 4pm Normal admission charges apply Please note, there will also be a £5 charge for the LEGO™ brick workshop

Museum opening hours:

Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm Sundays (until 14 January 2018) 12 midday – 5pm

The Salisbury Museum The King’s House 65 The Close Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 2EN UK www.salisburymuseum.org.uk www.pratchetthisworld.com

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Press Contact: Louise Tunnard [email protected] 01722 820541