Jersey Festival of Words is inviting the public to bid on 18 original illustrations by award-winning artist and former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, with all proceeds going towards helping children in Jersey access books.
The unique collection, generously donated by Chris following his appearance at this year’s Jersey Festival of Words, is now on display at Jersey Library where visitors can view the original artwork and take part in the auction.
The illustrations were created during Chris’s event with wild taleteller The Story Beast (Jersey man, John Henry Falle), which brought Norman history to life through a lively combination of storytelling and live drawing.
Marking 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror, the event explored the story of 12th-century Jersey monk Master Wace and his epic account of Norman history, the Roman de Rou. As The Story Beast brought the characters and stories to life, Chris captured Vikings, battles, 1066 and even a zombie-fighting ancestor in his distinctive illustrations.
Now, members of the public have the opportunity to own one of these one-off drawings while supporting a worthwhile cause.
The exhibition runs from 2 to 27 November on the second floor of Jersey Library. Those unable to visit in person can also view the full collection online and place their bids through the online bidding document. Bids start at just £10 per illustration, with the highest bidder for each drawing taking home the original artwork.
Every penny raised will go towards getting books into the hands of children in Jersey whose families cannot afford them, helping more young people discover the enjoyment and benefits of reading.
Jersey Festival of Words is extremely grateful to Chris Riddell for his generosity and to Jersey Library for hosting the exhibition.
