A new exhibition celebrating the unseen work of animator Arthur Humberstone has been brought to life.
The exhibit, put together by BA Graphic Design final year students at the Sheffield Hallam University, showcases archive material and artwork from his time as lead animator on films like Animal Farm and Watership Down.
Daisy Schwarzer, one of the third year students who worked on the exhibition said: “Arthur Humberstone had created such cool work, I wanted to be involved to see the stories behind the illustrations and animations. I’d made publications and digital media before but I hadn’t branched out to exhibitions yet so this seemed like a great opportunity to learn new design skills.”
The exhibition tells the story of animation in the UK throughout the twentieth century, with Humberstone’s career spanning across 45 years and including feature films, animated series and TV adverts.
Ros Wilbourne, a member of the public visiting the exhibition said: “It’s quite interesting to think about the start of animation and where it all came from. It’s not something you usually think about.”
The archive material has been provided by his twin sons and Sheffield Hallam University alumnis, Nigel and Klive Humberstone.
The exhibition demonstrates his work on some of his most famous projects like the BFG and the well loved character ‘Ginger Nut’.
Miss Schwarzer added: “The projects he worked on have been a huge part of my childhood. Noddy goes to Toyland was iconic and obviously the yellow submarine, my family love the Beatles!”
Arthur Humberstone was born in Derbyshire in 1912 and died in 1999 at the age of 87.
He produced his first animation at the age of 15, but his first job was as a typewriter mechanic. After that he went on to train at the Gaumont British Animation, before finding work on Animal Farm with the Halas and Batchelor studio.
The exhibition features a recreation of the animator’s desk.
Members of the public can visit the exhibition for free at the Post Hall Gallery, inside the Head Post Office building on Fitzalan Square, untilo Saturday 5 April.