A Bird in the Hand is more than a handful: Bob Graham art in Canberra 2014

If you want to return to your childhood, go to Bob Graham’s retrospective exhibition, A Bird in the Hand. Graham (1942-), Australian artist now living in England, is a well-known author and illustrator of children’s books.

The exhibition, held in the Canberra Museum and Gallery, comprises an historical account of the development of his books and illustrations. It goes way back to his childhood, his inspirations, and his student days at art school, to his studio and the creation of his many books.

The strong threads through the exhibition are Graham’s family, pets, friends, and community. There are sketches and drawings, and cardboard cut-outs, and works half-finished, and books of notes. There is even a full-scale replica of his studio office, with trestle table/desk, pencils, stickie-notes, and scraps of paper. The desk light is on, as if he has just left to get something. And then, with a wander around the exhibition, you can read his thoughts and see his inspirations, as you witness the birth of an idea and follow it through to its completion – a beautifully illustrated book.

Graham also illustrated other authors’ books, but mostly he writes his own and fills them with amazing pictures in simple, often cartoon form.

There’s monsieur albert rides to glory, and Pearl’s Place, and Spirit of Hope, and of course his Max book. There’s Let’s Get A Pup! and Buffy and Aristotle and First there was Frances and A Bus Called Heaven. There’s also a sample of his books in other languages – French, German, and Spanish.

One of his most famous books is How to Heal a Broken Wing about an injured bird – and hanging from the ceiling is a replica of the bird. The exhibition, Bird in the Hand, is full of sea gulls and pigeons, but the exhibition could’ve also been called Dog in the Basket because there are also many wonderful illustrations of the family pet – and plenty of sheep too.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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