Wallace and Gromit to go on display in new V&A Dundee exhibition

Wallace and Gromit are among iconic characters created by Aardman. | V&A

EMB THURS

Over 150 objects - including large-scale models, sets, and storyboards from the archives of Wallace & Gromit creators Aardman Animations are to go on display in Dundee in a major exhibition.

Coming to Scotland for the first time, Inside Aardman, which launches in March at the V&A Dundee, will showcase the worlds of the characters created by the animation studio, which also is behind Chicken Run, Shaun the Sheep and Morph.

The exhibition closes this week at the V&A’s London museum, where it has been on display since February.

The new exhibitions join the already announced European debut of Vivienne Westwood and Jewellery at V&A Dundee, which opens on 26 March.

Wallace and Gromit are among iconic characters created by Aardman. | V&A

Programme director Caroline Grewar, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends to V&A Dundee. Following its hugely successful run at Young V&A, we can’t wait for audiences in Scotland to discover the extraordinary creativity, craft and humour behind some of Aardman’s best-loved characters. It’s a joyful show for all generations, packed with original models, fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and plenty of opportunities to get creative.

“Aardman is now one of the best loved animation studios in the world, but it began as two young school friends experimenting at the kitchen table. The interactive exhibition is designed for the whole family, and we hope visitors will leave excited and inspired to make and create at home.”

Interactive activities will bring the animation process to life, from idea development and storyboarding to model making, filming and production, and post-production.

Free exhibition Brutal Scotland, which launches on 16 January, takes a closer look at Scotland’s Brutalist buildings through the eye of acclaimed photographer Simon Phipps, while the V&A Illustration Awards, which runs from 13 February, will celebrate the best in illustration across experimental picture books, exhibition posters, 3D installations, animation, photo-collages and cover designs.

In the London Aardman exhibition, highlights included development sketches for Morph, early character ideas for Wallace & Gromit, a hand-drawn storyboard from The Wrong Trousers (1993) train chase, as well as objects such as the duo’s motorbike and sidecar from Vengeance Most Fowl and Aardman’s final physical scheduling board.