The Serco Prize for Illustration 2014 – London Stories

Associated media

New exhibition of illustrations 14 February to 6 April 2014

Across the ages, London has produced and inspired countless stories. Fictitious and real characters and events in this amazing city have always held fascination, from anecdotal urban myths to grand tales of historic legend.

‘London Stories’, a new exhibition featuring the best of the entries for The Serco Prize for Illustration 2014, opens on 14 February 2014 and will feature over 50 works of art.

Entrants were asked to create an illustration that visually captures a well-known or obscure London narrative; stories that are contemporary or historical, real or imagined.

The shortlisted illustrations celebrate a vibrant, multi-layered London – urban myths, historic events, remarkable characters and London’s animal population. From ghost buses, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show of 1887 and Lenin’s ‘love letter to London’ to a Pearly King and Queen, and an escaped Monkey jazz band. Other entries depict the ravens and the white bear of the Tower of London, Tin Pan Alley as well as literary and musical references such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Girl from Petrovka, Mary Poppins, Sweeney Todd and Oranges and Lemons. For the first time the exhibition will also feature five short animated films. From the rise and fall of high rise tower blocks, LND Flying machine to the animated video about ‘Our Town’.

Organized by London Transport Museum in partnership with the Association of Illustrators (AOI) and sponsored by Serco, Each illustration is accompanied by a short text written by the artist, summarizing the inspiration behind their creation.

The Serco Prize for Illustration 2014 continues Transport for London’s legacy of design that dates back over 100 years. The Museum’s collection of graphic art is one of the best in the world and includes over 5,000 posters and artworks by famous artists including Man Ray, Paul Nash and Edward McKnight Kauffer. The exhibition closes on Sunday 6 April 2014.

The ‘London Stories’ exhibition is displayed in the CBS Outdoor Gallery at London Transport Museum and admission is included in the entry ticket to the main Museum galleries (adults £15.00 or £11.50 concessions). Tickets allow unlimited admission for 12 months. No charge for children and young people aged 17 and under. For further information visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk or call 020 7565 7298.

London Transport Museum
Covent Garden Piazza
London
WC2E 7BB