Bear Hunt artist returns to where her story began

It is a book loved by parents and children alike - the magical story, We're Going on a Bear Hunt.

Part of that magic comes from its beautiful illustrations and artist Helen Oxenbury is returning to her birthplace of Ipswich for an exhibition celebrating her work.

Oxenbury will come home on Friday to open Adventures in Childhood, featuring 50 of her famous illustrations, including We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, although she confessed it was not her favourite book to illustrate.

She told BBC Radio Suffolk that although it was the book that made her name she had the most fun doing So Much by Trish Cook and Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell.

The exhibition of Oxenbury's work marks a week-long celebration of childhood education at the University of Suffolk, including a visit by 400 primary school pupils.

Oxenbury said: "Sharing stories is such an important part of childhood, and I'm delighted that children will have the chance to take part in drawing workshops and see their own work on display."

She added that it was lovely to hear people saying how important Bear Hunt had been in their lives.

Oxenbury was born in 1938 and studied at Ipswich School of Art in the 1950s.

She fondly remembers going to ballet in Fonnereau Road and said she was looking forward to visiting her old haunts again.

"I'm delighted to be coming back to where my story started," she said.

On Friday, Oxenbury will be in conversation with Bungay-based artist, James Mayhew.

Mayhew will also lead workshops for schoolchildren, along with university chancellor and author Zeb Soanes.

Dr Amanda Hodgkinson, director of the Suffolk Centre of Culture and Heritage, said: "I love Helen Oxenbury's illustrations and I love the children's books.

"I've read them to my own children, I've had them read to me."

She also hoped the exhibition and the school event would inspire young people to focus on being creative.

"We need to equip our young people with creative skills and critical skills, thinking minds of their own and that's what's important for society and that's what is important for our children today," she said.

The Helen Oxenbury exhibition in the Waterfront Gallery, Ipswich, will be open throughout the summer (Mon-Fri, 10:00-16:00) until mid-September.

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