Discover Helen Craig's Magical Mice and Mythical Art Exhibition!

Helen Craig is a well-known illustrator, most famous for her work on the beloved Angelina Ballerina children's books. These stories feature a charming white mouse who loves to dance, and Craig's illustrations have brought Angelina and her world to life for generations of readers. One of her paintings from the books shows Angelina tucked into a fancy bed with a red and yellow canopy, a cozy fireplace burning nearby, and red chairs and a small table in the room. The window is covered with long white curtains, and the moon glows in the night sky. Now, a new exhibition is opening that will showcase artwork by Helen Craig that has never been seen before.

Helen Craig, who is 91 years old and lives in Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, has had a long and varied career. While she is best known for her mouse illustrations, she has also worked as a photographer in London, capturing portraits of celebrities such as Julie Christie, Zoë Wanamaker, and Peter O'Toole. Many of these photos were taken in the stars' dressing rooms or homes, giving a glimpse into their personal lives. The exhibition will feature artwork Craig has created over the past seventy years, including her ceramics and sculptures. Even today, she continues to experiment with new artistic ideas in her home studio near Cambridge. Craig is often described as having short grey hair, wearing glasses, and dressing in a blue coat with a patterned black and white scarf. She is frequently seen looking up at the sky, phone in hand, in the grounds of what looks like a stately home.

Craig's career as an illustrator of books and nursery rhymes will be highlighted in the exhibition, along with her sculptural works. Her sculptures often depict mythical and theatrical beings, some with playful features like removable headdresses, horse riders, or figures that open to reveal hidden people inside. One clay sculpture shows a man's head emerging from a large mask, with the creature wearing a tunic, holding a spear, and sporting oversized feet. Craig's photography also captured many famous faces, including actor Kenneth Williams, who is shown in a black and white photo sitting in a room wearing a suit and tie.

Pam Smy, the exhibition's curator, is an illustrator and former lecturer at Anglia Ruskin's Cambridge School of Art. She says that Helen Craig lives surrounded by her art and the things that inspire her. Every time Smy visits, Craig reveals new pieces of art from boxes and cupboards. Craig was a single mother in the 1960s and managed to maintain a creative career while raising her son, constantly reinventing her work to support her family. Smy believes that the volume and quality of Craig's work have been overlooked for too long, and this exhibition aims to shine a light on her extraordinary achievements.

The exhibition, titled 'Mice & Monsters: The Life and Work of Helen Craig,' will be held at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge from 15 October to 5 November. The university's campus features a welcoming blue and yellow sign, and there is also a new, futuristic lab in Peterborough with gold tiles. Another image from the exhibition shows a woman in a yellow jumper smiling at her desk, surrounded by plants, coloring pencils, and an open illustration pad, with books and ornaments on a shelf above her.

Helen Craig's art has delighted children and adults alike, and this new exhibition offers a chance to explore her creative journey, from her famous mouse illustrations to her imaginative sculptures and celebrity portraits. If you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire, you can contact the news team or follow Cambridgeshire news online. Visiting the exhibition is a wonderful way to discover the many sides of Helen Craig's artistic talent and celebrate her lasting impact on the world of children's literature and art.