Helen Oxenbury's work, spanning over six decades, is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of childhood moments, devoid of sentimentality. The exhibition at Burgh House features a range of her illustrations, including early drafts and original pieces from notable works like 'So Much' and 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt.' Oxenbury reflects on her artistic journey, mentioning her long-standing partnership with writers like Michael Rosen. Her newest work, 'Oh Dear Look What I Got,' showcases her ongoing evolution as an illustrator and her collaborative spirit with authors.
"It's interesting to see the development of my style, I hardly dare tell you how long, but it's 60 years since the first baby board books," says the 86-year-old.
"Evidently Michael had been absolutely amazed when he saw my illustrations and couldn't understand what I had done to the story, but I thought it was pretty obvious," she says.
"You never actually meet until publication day for a bit of a celebration," she added, highlighting the unique collaboration process with writers.
Helen's ability to capture joyful moments of childhood without sentimentality marks out her work, a theme showcased in her upcoming exhibition.
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