Much of his more recent work has been for Walker Books and the spur for this show is his most recent book for them which is the culmination of an idea he’s been nursing for many years. ‘One of a Kind’ has given him the chance to pull together aspects of taxonomy in a charming narrative.
‘Neil Packer takes children on a fascinating journey through various categories of things with an oversize picture book, “One of a Kind: A Story About Sorting and Classifying”. … It’s a mesmerizing collection of collections for readers ages 6-10.’ Meghan Cox Gurdon in the Wall Street Journal
‘Today’s a good day for apple picking! ???????????? I haven’t stopped thinking about this marvelous spread in Neil Packer’s ONE OF A KIND: A STORY ABOUT SORTING AND CLASSIFYING since I first saw it (same goes for the cheese pages…). This oversized book is such a treat for visual learners; gorgeous illustrations take us through a day in the life of young Arvo as he learns about classification.’ The Curious Reader
It’s been The Folio Society which has given Neil the breadth of work over the past twenty years and he’s very much enjoyed the challenge of interpreting for them.
This ‘Open House’ lasts for the whole week and the gallery look forward to making this work available for all to see.
There will be work for sale including smaller prints, limited edition prints and the Silk Roads book, which Neil will be happy to dedicate as instructed, and there is also a very handsome map in a medieval style which was not included in the book but which will be offered as an archival print.
Original Art
The exhibition will include original art from his previous books and a showing of a remarkable painted map, showing Neil’s own ‘Anti-Gentrification Train Garden’ which takes its form from the London Underground map and a model railway but with favourite haunts illustrated. Accompanied by a film of this image, with a model train running, complete with commentary.
You can learn more about Neil and his world through the videos that can be found here.
