Moomin creator Tove Jansson’s art and personal relationships will be the focus of a new exhibition at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.
London’s list of things to do just got a major addition. Fans of Moomin creator Tove Jansson will be pleased to know that the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will host a major new exhibition exploring her life and work, titled Tove Jansson and her Families.
Tove Jansson’s (1914–2001) work has seen a revival of sorts in recent times, thanks in part to a new wave of appreciation for Japanese anime. Despite being Finnish, the late illustrator and storyteller continues to wow new generations with her whimsically enchanting characters, including the Moomins.
Spanning several novels and comic strips, the lovable family who live in Moominvalley remain a family favourite while retaining their artistic appeal. Jansson’s work emerged at a time when it was rare for female cartoonists to have their own comic strips. Her Moomin comic strip debuted in London’s Evening News in September 1954. Her cartoons went on to reach more than 20 million readers.
The series remains ever-popular, with a burgeoning range of merchandise, regularly reprinted novels, and animated adaptations available to watch on YouTube.
What to Expect
The exhibition, titled Tove Jansson and her Families, will celebrate the creator of the lovable trolls and will be the UK’s first dedicated solely to her work as an illustrator. It will showcase both her renowned and previously unseen work, including what the gallery describes as “over 100 rarely shown sketches, paintings, illustrations and photographs.”
Despite its focus on her illustrations and artistic endeavours, the exhibition will also explore how Jansson’s family and relationships influenced the development of her characters, some of which have sparked significant online discussion surrounding their real-life inspirations and interpretations.
Exhibition Details
Tove Jansson and her Families is set to begin Saturday, 21 November 2026 until Sunday, 9 May 2027 at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.
A standard admission ticket costs £15 and includes access to all exhibitions; members go free. Opening hours will be Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm
Venue Details: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, 1 Myddelton Passage, Clerkenwell, London,EC1R 1AG
Nearest Tube Stations: Angel Station (Northern line).
Alternative stations: Farringdon (Elizabeth Line), King’s Cross St Pancras (Circle Line).
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