Gerald Scarfe: Stage and Screen At House of Illustration’s Main Gallery 22 September 2017 – 21 January 2018 The first major exhibition of stage designs by celebrated cartoonist Gerald Scarfe “I always want to bring my creations to life – to bring them off the page and give them flesh and blood, movement and drama.” – Gerald Scarfe "There is more to him than journalism... his elegantly grotesque, ferocious style remains instantly recognisable" – Evening Standard feature 20/09/17 Critics Choice – Financial Times 16/09/17 On 22 September 2017 House of Illustration opened the first major show of Gerald Scarfe’s striking production designs for theatre, rock, opera, ballet and film, many of which are being publicly exhibited for the very first time. Gerald Scarfe is the UK’s most celebrated political cartoonist; his 50-year-long career at The Sunday Times revealed an imagination that is acerbic, explosive and unmistakable. But less well known is Scarfe’s lifelong contribution to the performing arts and his hugely significant work beyond the page, designing some of the most high-profile productions of the last 30 years. This exhibition is the first to explore Scarfe’s extraordinary work for stage and screen. It features over 100 works including preliminary sketches, storyboards, set designs, photographs, ephemera and costumes from productions including Orpheus in the Underworld at English National Opera, The Nutcracker by English National Ballet and Los Angeles Opera’s The Magic Flute. It also shows his 1994 work as the only ever external Production Designer for Disney, for their feature film Hercules, as well as his concept, character and animation designs for Pink Floyd’s 1982 film adaptation of The Wall. Scarfe’s surreal and often grotesque artwork cemented The Wall’s iconic status in pop culture. Known for his uncompromising satire in print, Scarfe started drawing for Punch in the 1960s and went on to work as The Sunday Times’ political cartoonist for 50 years, from 1967 until his retirement earlier this year. He has just been announced as the Evening Standard’s new political cartoonist. Colin McKenzie, Director of House of Illustration, said: “We are honoured and tremendously excited to be exhibiting the work of such an influential illustrator and satirist, showing his extraordinary work for stage and screen to a wide audience for the very first time. The exhibition reflects just how significant his contribution has been over the last half century to the performing arts, from rock to classical music, animation to ballet.” “Gerald Scarfe transformed Offenbach's spoof of classical mythology into a contemporary freewheeling socio- political satire.” Review of Orpheus in the Underworld by Los Angeles Times "In a newspaper, you've got to hit hard, because you're competing for the reader's attention with advertisements and screaming headlines. So I was trained to catch the viewer's eye, and that's what I did with the scenery in Orpheus." Gerald Scarfe IMAGE CREDITS 1) Los Angeles Opera Orpheus in the Underworld publicity poster © Gerald Scarfe 2) English National Opera Orpheus in the Underworld Act 1 transformation © Gerald Scarfe LISTINGS INFORMATION Gerald Scarfe: Stage and Screen 22 September 2017 – 21 January 2018 Main Gallery at House of Illustration, 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, London N1C 4BH Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (closed Monday) Admission (one ticket gives admission to all three galleries) £8.25 inc gift aid. Other exhibitions currently on: Jacqueline Ayer: Drawing on Thailand Quentin Blake: The Life of Birds 020 3696 2020, houseofillustration.org.uk, facebook.com/houseofillustration, @illustrationHQ NOTES TO EDITORS Gerald Scarfe (born 1936) grew up in London and studied at the Royal College of Art. Inspired by Ronald Searle, he established himself as a satirical cartoonist for Punch magazine and Private Eye during the early 1960s. In 1967 he began an association with The Sunday Times as their political cartoonist that lasted 50 years until his retirement in June 2017. He has also designed operas, plays and ballets for performances across the UK and America for companies including English National Opera, Los Angeles Opera and English National Ballet. His film work includes Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Walt Disney’s animated feature film, Hercules, as well as many live action and documentary films for the BBC and Channel 4. Scarfe was made a CBE in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours, is an Honorary Professor of the University of Dundee and an Honorary Fellow of the London Institute. geraldscarfe.com House of Illustration is the UK’s only public gallery and education space dedicated to illustration and graphic arts, with a creative programme of exhibitions, talks and events. Founded by Sir Quentin Blake in the heart of the King’s Cross regeneration area, it is the place to enjoy and learn about illustration in all its forms. A registered charity, House of Illustration identifies and promotes new talent, commissions new work and has a learning programme for all ages delivered by professional illustrators. houseofillustration.org.uk. .