Dulwich Picture Gallery announces first UK museum exhibition by best-selling author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy

This winter, Dulwich Picture Gallery will welcome the truly original and magical drawings of award-winning author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy. Bringing together never-before-seen early sketches, unpublished studies, and original works from across Mackesy’s career, the one-room exhibition will offer audiences of all ages a unique insight into his creative process, celebrating the universal message that art is for everyone.

Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Fox, the Mole, the Horse... And You will run from 3 November 2026 – 7 February 2027, specially curated by art historian, curator and author Kate Bryan.

Visitors will encounter rarely displayed preparatory sketches alongside finished illustrations from Mackesy’s internationally best-selling books The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm. Praised for their compassion and gentle wisdom, these works have captured the hearts of a generation, inspiring messages of resilience, hope and friendship. Since its publication in 2019, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has sold over 10 million copies, been translated into more than 50 languages, and been adapted into an Oscar-winning animated short film.

Highlighting Mackesy’s belief that creativity is for everyone, the exhibition will invite visitors to make their own drawings in response to the works on display, emphasising the benefits of art on health and wellbeing. By revealing his ‘messy’ preparatory sketches, Mackesy offers an intimate glimpse into his working process and the playful, universal nature of art.

An original drawing created for the Dulwich Picture Gallery exhibition will feature Mackesy’s beloved characters, and visitors can listen to a ‘soft monologue’ audio guide by the artist, sharing insights into his technique and approach. A lively programme of events will accompany the exhibition, bringing Mackesy’s world to life for audiences of all ages.

Charlie Mackesy, said: “I’ve loved Dulwich Picture Gallery ever since I biked past it when I was 19 and came in to have a look. It felt very special; kind but serious and beautiful. I never dreamt that one day I’d be exhibiting my work at the Gallery. What a privilege. I really hope you enjoy visiting the exhibition and that it inspires you.”

Kate Bryan, Curator, said: “Charlie Mackesy is an astonishingly rare breed of artist. His distinct hand distils emotional and psychological messages into elegantly simple artwork. Universally regarded across all ages and continents, we love it because it embraces our imperfections, gives gentle reassurance and reminds us there is power in vulnerability. Charlie and I both live locally to Dulwich Picture Gallery and I can think of no more fitting place for his first Institutional exhibition than a gallery which was founded on principals of inclusivity and the belief that art benefits all of us.”

Jennifer Scott, Director, Dulwich Picture Gallery, said: “This exhibition speaks directly to Dulwich Picture Gallery’s founding belief that great art is made for sharing. Mackesy’s drawings demonstrate the power of creativity to move, heal, comfort and connect us. We are overjoyed to welcome Mackesy’s beautiful works and his inspiring message of hope.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Eibhlín Kissack, PR Manager [email protected]

Images

Publicity images can be downloaded from the press pack.

Image Credit

Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Fox, the Mole, the Horse... And You, preliminary sketch, 2026.

Listings Info

Charlie Mackesy: The Boy, the Fox, the Mole, the Horse... And You 3 November 2026 – 7 February 2027

Tickets

The ticket on sale date will be announced via Dulwich Picture Gallery’s website and social media channels a few months prior to the exhibition opening. For more information visit dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk.

Charlie Mackesy

British artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy began his career as a cartoonist, before becoming a book illustrator for Oxford University Press. His award-winning work has been featured in books, galleries, school classrooms, hospital wards, prisons and public spaces around the world. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse was published in October 2019 and has now reached over 10 million readers around the world. It holds the record for the most consecutive weeks in the Sunday Times Non-Fiction Chart across all formats, as well as being the longest running non-fiction number one of all time. A number one New York Times bestseller, it is has also remained on the NYT list since publication. Charlie worked with Nelson Mandela on a lithograph project, The Unity Series, and his bronzes can be found in public spaces in London, including Highgate Cemetery and the Brompton Road. Away from art, Charlie co-runs Mama Buci, a honey social enterprise in Zambia that helps families of low and no income to become beekeepers.

Kate Bryan

Kate Bryan is a British art historian, curator and arts broadcaster. Since 2016, she has been the curator for Soho House’s global art collection which numbers 10,000 artworks. For over a decade she has regularly presented television programmes for Sky Arts including “My Week With” and as a judge on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of The Year. Her bestselling book How to Art: Bringing a Fancy Subject Down to Earth (2025) embodies her mission to help everybody come to art.

Dulwich Picture Gallery

The Original Gallery. Est. 1811.

It started here with a simple idea – that great art is made for sharing. Which is why, over 200 years ago, Dulwich Picture Gallery opened its doors and became the world’s first purpose built public art gallery – a sanctuary in the city, dedicated to sharing one of the greatest art collections in the world, with the world. We remain dedicated to our mission of unlocking art for all. From historic paintings to contemporary sculpture, we’re committed to bringing art to life and life to art. Finding new and surprising ways for people to enjoy, appreciate, and be inspired by great art – inside and out.

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