Words by Gareth Thompson

Visual artist Jake Blanchard unveils his new exhibition, Creatures, this month at Studio 9a, Robinwood Mill in Todmorden. Blanchard’s work delves into a world of both familiar and outlandish beings, surrounded by a created mythology and folklore from an alternative evolutionary and cultural history. The exhibition will feature over sixty new works including paintings, prints, drawings, masks, ritual objects and instruments, all rendered in Blanchard’s signature psychedelic style.

Blanchard says:

“For this exhibition I was thinking about the creatures that exist in this
world; some familiar and some more unusual. I considered not just what they look like, but what they do. What objects do these civilizations create? What about their instruments, masks and sculptures, what rituals do they perform? What do their shops look like? Creatures is an anthropological study of an unknown culture. The work is presented as a series of paintings, drawings, lino prints, sculptures and instruments.”

Blanchard was awarded third place in the Art Vinyl album cover of the year award 2022 for his artwork on Richard Dawson’s album, The Ruby Cord. He has also designed record sleeves for the likes of Elkhorn, Mike Gangloff, Wooden Wand, Pelt and James & The Giants.

Elsewhere his work has appeared in Creative Review, The Guardian, Design Week and
Computer Arts. He has illustrated for the BBC, Domino Records, Random House, Granta Publishing and many others.

Creatures runs from 29th July – 27th August 2023. Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm.
Studio 9a, Robinwood Mill, Todmorden OL14 8JA.

https://www.9aprojects.com