Yellow Submarine exhibition launches at Windermere Jetty Museum

Windermere Jetty Museum will be hosting Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s feature exhibition “Yellow Submarine - Bill Morrison’s Odyssey Through Pepperland. The exhibition opens on 23rd September 2022 and runs until 2nd January 2023.

Come and journey with the Fab Four through the Sea of Monsters, dodge the scary Suckophant and through the Sea of Green to Pepperland. Experience the Apple Bonkers, the dreaded Flying Glove and the final rescue of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band from the Blue Meanies.

In 2018 Bill Morrison, one of America’s most respected comic artists, was commissioned by Titan Comics to mark the 50th anniversary of The Beatles film, Yellow Submarine. His graphic novel is a joyful celebration of this landmark animation that was central to the shaping of the psychedelic 1960s.

Featuring sketches, preparatory work and some rare examples of The Beatles in comics, “Yellow Submarine – Bill Morrison’s Odyssey Through Pepperland” charts the creation of a unique piece of visual storytelling.

Bill Morrison, creator of the Yellow Submarine graphic novel, has worked with The Simpsons creator Matt Groening as an illustrator and writer for The Simpsons and its associated comics, as Art Director of Futurama, and Executive Editor of Madmagazine. 

Part of Lakes International Comic Art Festival programme, the exhibition is free with admission to Windermere Jetty Museum - adult £9, child (5-15) £4.50, child (0-4) free. The 10th anniversary festival takes place on 14th - 16th October. To see the full programme across all venues see comicartfestival.com/whats-on.

“What better way to celebrate our tenth festival in our new main venue, Windermere Jetty Museum, than with Festival friend Bill Morrison’s Odyssey into Pepperland?” says Julie Tait, Director, Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF). “This original exhibition will feature artwork by Bill from his graphic novel of the Yellow Submarinetogether with an exploration of his love of The Beatles and some rare artefacts of The Beatles in comics.”

“We are so excited to be part of Lakes International Comic Arts Festival and to be launching the Yellow Submarine graphic novel exhibition at Windermere Jetty Museum,” says Rhian Harris Chief Executive, Lakeland Arts. “For fans of The Beatles’ film or 60s retro design this will be a real treat. During the main Festival, our site will be a hub of comic related events and the place for families with Little LICAF taking over our Boat Wharf.”

Bill Morrison is best known for his work with The Simpsons and Futurama as Creative Director, writer, and artist at Matt Groening’s Bongo Comics.

He began his career as an illustrator, painting dozens of movie posters including many for Walt Disney Pictures, such as The Little Mermaid, Bambi, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book.

When Matt Groening founded Bongo Comics, Bill was on board as art director and drew the very first Simpsons comic. He soon took on the role of Creative Director, editing Bongo’s entire output, and writing and drawing stories and covers.

In addition to his Bongo work, Bill has created thousands of Simpsons and Futuramadrawings for T-shirts, video games, posters, toy packaging, books, calendars, limited edition prints, etc.

Bill also worked with Groening on early character designs for the Futurama TV series and served as series Art Director. And he recently worked as character designer and artist on Groening’s Netflix series, Disenchantment.

Most recently, Bill created a graphic novel adaptation of The Beatles Yellow Submarine for Titan Comics, and was Executive Editor of MAD Magazine.

Lakeland Arts purpose is to reflect creative inspiration from the magnificent landscapes and cultural heritage surrounding us in Lakeland through our collections and our people, to enrich people’s lives, celebrate our environment and build stronger communities. Working with artists and heritage collections from Lakeland and beyond, we explore the deep and fundamental connections between people, land and identity. Lakeland Arts is supported by Arts Council England.

Windermere Jetty Museum opened in 2019 and is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction, dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. 

This spectacular museum reflects industry and engineering in one of England’s most famously beautiful locations, the Lake District National Park. A working destination, committed to conserving, protecting and sharing its internationally important collection. 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund was the major funder for the Museum’s construction. Grants are made possible by National Lottery players. The project was also supported by Regional Growth Fund and Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund along with other grant makers and individual donors. The museum was a finalist for the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize.

Yellow Submarine – Bill Morrison’s Odyssey Through Pepperland
23 September 2022 – 2 January 2023
10am-5pm (until 31 Oct) and 10am – 4pm (Nov-Jan)
Windermere Jetty Museum

Enter the bonkers world of The Beatles Yellow Submarine; drawings and sketches by one of America’s most respected comic artists. Bill Morrison has worked on The Simpsons, Futurama and MAD magazine.

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival will run from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th October 2022 and is online at: www.comicartfestival.com | Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast: www.comicartpodcast.uk | Twitter: @comicartfestpod | Facebook: @ComicArtPodcast | Instagram: @ComicArtPodcast

Head to the Festival web site now for further information about ticket options, or go straight to EventBrite and grab your tickets now

Announced guests for 2022 are, in alphabetical order, include: Charlie Adlard, Dimitris Anastasiou, Mehdi Annassi, Lucie Arnoux, Bianca Bagnarelli, Alison Bechdel, Fred Campoy, Matthew Dooley, Ulla Donner, Oliver East, Karrie Fransman, Lina Ghabeih, Dave Gibbons, Paul Gravett, Kalle Hakkola, Jaime Hernandez, Eva Hilhorst, Bryan Hitch, Stephen L. Holland, Rian Hughes, Marc Jackson, Michael Lark, Leomacs, Marine des Mazery, Vojtěch Mašek, Joe McGarry, Luke McGarry, Steve McGarry, Mick McMahon, Bill Morrison, Bex Ollerton, Dean Ormston, Jacob Phillips, JAD, Sean Phillips, Mike Perkins, Tim Pilcher, Ram V, Mollie Ray, Tom Richmond, Greg Rucka, Andrea Settimo, Katie Skelly, Posy Simmonds, Václav Šlajch, Fiona Stephenson, Maria Surducan, Bryan Talbot, Mary Talbot, Petteri Tikkanen, Jörg Tittel, Twin Cartoons, Judit Vanistandel, Asya Voitenko, and Andi Watson

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The Lakes International Comic Art Festival exhibition, in partnership with Lakeland Arts. Supported by Arts Council England and Titan Comics. ©2022 Subafilms Ltd. A Yellow Submarine™ product