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Fantastical Snail Book by War Artist Unveiled
23 May
Summary
- An unpublished book of fantastical snails by war artist Edward Bawden is now public.
- The book, 'Snails for All,' was written in 1945 for his children and never printed.
- Artwork from the book will be displayed alongside children's inspired creations.
An extraordinary glimpse into the imagination of celebrated war artist Edward Bawden is now accessible to the public. His previously unpublished book, "Snails for All," penned in 1945 for his young children, has been gifted to The Higgins museum in Bedford. The exhibition, which commenced on Saturday, May 24, 2026, features every page of the whimsical and often macabre stories about seven mythical snail species.
This collection, originally kept in private ownership, adds a unique dimension to the Edward Bawden Gallery at The Higgins. Museum curator Victoria Partridge highlighted the donor's generosity and the exhibition's focus on Bawden's distinctive humor, which includes monsters and animals meeting unfortunate ends. The exhibit also proudly displays artwork created by pupils from Putnoe Primary School, who engaged in workshops inspired by Bawden's fantastical molluscs.
