What Are You Like?

Self-revealing portraits by people in the public eye

9 September 2008 - 18 January 2009

A collaboration between The House of Illustration and Dulwich Picture Gallery brings together an eclectic group of public figures, each contributing a 'self-portrait' composed of their favourite things.

Self-revealing portraits by people in the public eye

What Are You Like? Self Revealing Portraits by People In The Public Eye

4 stars"Illuminating for its insight into creative minds, touching in its simplicity"
Zena Alkayat, The Metro
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  Video link Watch the Director's Videos about this exhibition
  Shop link Buy the Exhibition Catalogue from the online Shop

A collaboration between The House of Illustration and Dulwich Picture Gallery brought together an eclectic group of public figures, each contributing a 'self-portrait' composed of their favourite things.

The idea was taken from a Victorian game of describing yourself with images of your favourite things: like a self-portrait. 45 people in the public eye were asked to illustrate their 8 favourite things from a list of 12 – their favourite animal, book, clothes, comfort, food, pastime, place, possession, music, shoes, weather and pet aversion (the thing they love to hate!)

Contributors included Quentin Blake, Andrew Marr, Brian Eno, David Adjaye, David Shrigley, Donald Urquhart, Eric Clapton, Jack Penate, Lauren Child to name a few...

In a break with the Gallery tradition of the artist's name appearing with the work of art, each illustration appeared uncredited, allowing visitors the fun of trying to guess the creator's identity; any confusion was allayed with the provision of an artist list (should the viewer have wished to cheat!).

A diverse and revealing exhibition and an exciting partnership with The House of Illustration - the first gallery in the UK dedicated to celebrating the art of illustration.

Quentin Blake presented a talk about the exhibition during the Gallery Lates on 20th November, signing this 2008's gallery Christmas card, designed by himself.

Downloads

PDF linkWhat Are You Like? Press release - PDF

PDF linkWhat Are You Like? article from Dulwich In View magazine - PDF

  Dulwich On View Logo Ian Dejardin, Director, and Xavier Salomon, Curator describe what they are like