The Illustration Cupboard

Illustrationcupboard Gallery is a unique central London art gallery representing the most distinguised contemporary book illustrators from around the world. Since 1995 it has presented a continuous schedule of events including single artist's exhibitions, themed events and the much-loved annual winter exhibition.

Other projects have included working with municipal hospitals, public art galleries and museums as well as national festivals such as the Edinburgh International Book Festival. There have also been international events including a touring exhibition to Australia, recent exhibitions in Hong Kong and Tokyo as well as an art fair in Seoul.

Founder John Huddy first studied art history at school and went on to gain an MA (Hons) in History of Art at St Andrew’s University. He worked at Christie's in St James’s, London, extending an interest in old master drawings and paintings. It was a family connection with publishing that sparked his appreciation of illustration artwork from books he had grown up with. As a child he had met many leading authors and artists, a number of whom are now represented by the gallery. In 2006 Jacqui Lyons of Marjacq joined the enterprise as partner, with the current premises in St James's opening in November of that year.

Illustrationcupboard Gallery also encompasses other services, including a specialist bookshop offering signed first editions, hand-made, out-of-print and limited-edtion books by private presses. It also offers advice to estates and author/artists on artwork and inheritance management, and has undertaken a number of significant valuations used for liaising with Her Majesty's Government.