Curiouser and Curiouser

The impossibly imaginative world of Lewis Carroll has proved irresistible for a group of 19 illustrators who will burrow into it to create Curiouser and Curiouser: An illustrative re-imagining of the life and work of Lewis Carroll.

Lewis Carroll portrait by Lefki Savvidou
Lewis Carroll portrait by Lefki Savvidou

John Tennial’s 19th-century Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrations are the most evocative and memorable characterisations when we think of Carroll’s books.

The Dodo by Abigail Moulder will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter
The Dodo by Abigail Moulder will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter

He forged a style, which has influenced subsequent illustrated editions of the Alice books, and even animations. 

The Mock Turtle by Maj Abrahamsson will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter
The Mock Turtle by Maj Abrahamsson will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter

This exhibition, put on in celebration of the apparently significant 181st birthday of the late Carroll, reminds us that he also took pleasure in writing nonsense poems, and was known as a photographer, mathematician, and logician.

The Walrus by Eileen Kwan will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter
The Walrus by Eileen Kwan will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter

The idea of looking at Carroll’s whole world and the bringing together of artists with markedly different styles should provide a broad interpretation.

The White Rabbit by Martin Ursell will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter
The White Rabbit by Martin Ursell will be used in the exhibition window display, which recreates The Pool of Tears chapter

One artist Eileen Kwan says, ‘Some people have looked at Carroll himself, or his writings. I’m looking at Alice in Wonderland and Abi [Moulder] has looked at his nonsense poems.’

Much of the work is still being finished, but Lefki Savvidou has already completed an angular black-and-white portrait impression of Carroll and Alex Moore has captured an austere Queen of Hearts with flamingo detailing.

Queen of Hearts by Alex Moore
Queen of Hearts by Alex Moore

Work for a gallery window display based on The Pool of Tears chapter in Alice in Wonderland has already been completed.

Illustration by Maj Abrahamsson
Illustration by Maj Abrahamsson

Curiouser and Curiouser will run from 24-30 January at the Curious Duke Gallery, 207 Whitecross Street, London, EC1. All of the pieces will be for sale.

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  • Abigail Moulder November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    EXCITING NEWS!

    At 6:30 on the night of the private view (the 24th) we will be having a member of the lovely Lewis Carroll society, Mark Richards, doing a talk on Lewis Carroll art with bonus images.
    Be there or be a jabberwocky!

    http://curiouserandcuriousershow.wordpress.com/

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