Exhibition "Drawing on Childhood" explores foundling protagonists in novel

LONDON Jan. 25 —— The exhibition "Drawing on Childhood" opens to the public until 1 May 2016, which brings together the works of major illustrators from the eighteenth century to the present day. It shows one "secret" that few people noticed—— most fictional main protagonists are orphaned, adopted, fostered or found in the literature.

A character is unleashed to find their own way in the world, and through them, writers can mine universal feelings of isolation and the desire to escape. Generations of illustrators have drawn on key moments in these narratives, creating powerful images of alternative childhoods.

This exhibition explores the alchemy of words and pictures to conjure memorable characters – from Henry Fielding's spirited Tom Jones in the 18th century and Dickens's medley of plucky Victorian orphans, to Jacqueline Wilson's fiery Foundling Hospital heroine Hetty Feather. There is a real social history behind these images, but stories are ultimately places of imagination, where –if not in life – our orphaned heroes find a happy ending.

Drwing on Childhood includes original drawings, first editions and special illustrated editions. To accompany the loaned works, contemporary artists Chris Haughton, Pablo Bronstein and Posy Simmonds have been invited to produce a new illustration for Henry Fielding's novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, first published in 1749.

Stephanie Chapman, exhibition curator, said to People's Daily Online UK:" Illustrators over the past 250 years have been inspired by a rich variety of characters in fiction and folklore who have experienced an alternative childhood. A good illustrator enhanced our understanding and enjoyment of the story, and the selected works in this exhibition show how talented artists across the centries have brought to life the childhood experiences - as wll as their later repercussions - of some of our best-loved fictional characters."