The Art and Life of E.H. Shepard

E.H. Shepard exhibition Cranleigh Arts Unseen illustrations by E. H. Shepard, featured in The Art and Life of E.H. Shepard. This captivating new exhibition celebrating the life and work of renowned illustrator E.H. Shepard (1879–1976). Best known for bringing to life the beloved worlds of Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows, Shepard’s enchanting artistry has delighted generations and now visitors can discover more about the man behind the famous illustrations. Shepard was a remarkable talent whose career extended beyond his well-known children’s illustrations and spanned decades. A celebrated cartoonist for the iconic satirical magazine Punch, he was also a long-time resident of the local area, living in villages around Guildford and Shamley Green for much of his life. His story is one of creativity and resilience, serving as an officer in the First World War and later as a Captain in the Surrey Home Guard during the Second World War, while continuing to produce an extraordinary body of work well into his later years. This unique exhibition, curated by the University of Surrey’s Archives and Special Collections team, offers a rare and intimate glimpse into Shepard’s life and work. Visitors will have the chance to see beautifully reproduced artworks from the archive, including those produced for his most famous works, with the marks, revisions, and personality often hidden in final published illustrations. Alongside these, are reproductions of rarely seen treasures including sketchbooks, diaries, photographs, correspondence, and manuscripts, weaving together a rich and revealing portrait of Shepard’s personal and professional life. Through engaging storytelling and carefully selected pieces, the exhibition uncovers Shepard’s connections to the Guildford and Cranleigh area while celebrating the full breadth of his artistic legacy. Perfectly timed to coincide with Cranleigh Arts Centre’s annual Book Festival and the centenary of the first publication of Winnie-the-Pooh in October 1926, this exhibition promises to be a highlight of the Centre’s cultural calendar. Visitors can further explore Shepard’s creative partnership with A.A. Milne in a special talk by James Campbell on 14 May as part of the festival programme. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to step inside the imaginative world of one of Britain’s most treasured illustrators. © The Shepard Trust