Exhibitions

Old Big School & The Tunnel Gallery

Three major exhibitions take place at Old Big School Gallery during the year;  mid January to early March, mid September to early November, and early December. Between these times there are wall based exhibitions that take into account the space’s additional use for student exams.

The Tunnel Gallery holds up to 10 exhibitions per year and, during the first two school terms, is home to the Tunnel Gallery Artist in Residence. 

Exhibitions explore particular themes or provide a showcase for individual artists. They often include objects that are not traditionally thought of as ‘art’ and may thereby entice their audience to re-examine their preconceptions about what art can be. OBS Gallery provides a space for enquiry and reflection.

About the exhibition

The World Illustration Awards 2021 Exhibition showcases some of the extraordinary talent to be found in today’s global illustration industry. 

A celebration of the creativity, imagination and vitality of professionals from all parts of the globe who work in the industry today, the World Illustration Awards also serve to highlight emerging new talent. 

The exhibition includes plenty of exploratory and innovative work that transcends traditional categories of illustration, providing an insight into the future direction of this exciting art form across ten categories.  

Running between Thursday 20 January and Thursday 24 February, ‘WIA2021’ displays all 44 Award-Winning and Highly Commended projects, telling the story of the ideas, processes and artists behind the finished images. 

An additional selection from each featured artist means that the OBS Gallery will be presenting more than 140 works to peruse, including a digital showreel. 

The World Illustration Awards are presented annually by the Association of Illustrators, in partnership with USA-based Directory of Illustration, to support, promote and celebrate contemporary illustration. 

Curated by Gallery Administrator, Claire Hart White, alongside Head of Art, Fian Andrews, and Art Technicians Janine Brent and Vanessa Hadfield, WIA2021 is open to the public at weekends between 12pm and 4pm, and during weekdays for booked groups. Contact claire.hartwhite@tonbridge-school.org for more details.