About Paul Kidby

Paul Kidby – Illustrator

Self-taught artist Paul Kidby was born in West London in 1964.  He left school at 17 and, after a stint making false teeth, worked as a commercial artist before becoming a freelance illustrator in 1986. In the late ’80s and early ’90s Paul created hundreds of designs for video game packaging and magazine covers, including iconic pieces such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Mortal Kombat, Batman, and Earthworm Jim.

Paul is best known for being the ‘artist of choice’ for the award-winning writer Sir Terry Pratchett, who passed away in 2015.  Paul started working with Terry in 1993 and has designed the ‘Discworld’ book jackets since 2002 following the death of artist Josh Kirby.  He has illustrated many ‘Discworld’ publications including ‘The Art of Discworld’, best-selling ‘The Last Hero’ and the 2017 publication ‘Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Imaginarium’. In 2019 he illustrated ‘Good Omens’ written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

Paul’s original artwork, and limited-edition bronzes are in private collections around the world. His popular solo exhibition, Denizens of Discworld, is currently available to book in UK museums and galleries.

 

Past Exhibitions:

Denizens of Discworld, solo retrospective at St Barbe Museum, Lymington. January 2023-February 2023.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at The Red House Museum & Art Gallery, Christchurch. October 2020-January 2021.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Larne Museum, Northern Ireland. September-October 2019.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at North Hertforshire Museum.  December 2018-February 2019.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk. September-December 2018.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Maidstone Museum & Bentif Art Gallery. July-September 2018.

The Shed of Doom at The Chalke Valley History Festival, Broad Chalke. June 2018.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at The Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury. May-June 2018.

Terry Pratchett: HisWorld, Salisbury Museum, Salisbury. September 2017-January 2018.

The Charmed Realm, Salisbury Museum, Salisbury. September 2017-January 2018.

Capture the Castle, Southampton City Art Gallery. May-September 2017.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery, Nuneaton. July-September 2016.

Widdershins II – Pathways to the Faerie Realm. Green Hill Arts Centre, Moretonhampstead. June-August 2016.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Wardown Park Museum, Luton. July-November 2015.

Salisbury Barons Trail: The Discworld Knight for The Trussell Trust. June-September 2015.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Gosport Gallery, Gosport. March-May 2015.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective at Borough Museum & Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme. January-March 2015.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective. Willis Museum, Basingstoke. March-June 2014.

London Books About Town: Ookbench for The National Literacy Trust. July-September 2014.

Angels, Faeries & Femmes Fatales. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth. October 2013-March 2014.

Collier & Dobson, in association with Hampshire Life Magazine, Fordingbridge.  August-September 2013.

Widdershins: Moorland Mythic Arts. Green Hill Arts Centre, Moretonhampstead. June-August 2013.

Exposition Movieshow!, Galerie Daniel Maghen, Paris. July 2013.

LAPADA Art & Antiques, Berkeley Square, London.  September 2012 & 2013.

Discworld & Beyond, solo retrospective, St Barbe Museum, Lymington.  August-October 2012.

Fine Art & Antiques, Olympia, London.  June 2012.

Watercolour & Works on Paper, Science Museum, London.  February 2012.

The ARThouse Gallery, Bournemouth.  2011-2012.

Art in Action, Waterperry House, Oxford.  July 2010, 2011 & 2012.

London Elephant Parade: Eko for The Orangutan Foundation.  May-July 2010.

Exposition Féerie, Galerie Daniel Maghen, Paris. December-January 2009/2010.

The Wonder of Illustration, Salisbury Museum, Wiltshire.  April-July,2009.

The Art of Christmas, The Air Gallery, Dover Street, London.  December 2008.

Watercolour & Drawing Exhibition, The Royal Academy, London.  February 2007 & 2008.

Lapada Objects of Desire, The Royal Academy, London.  May 2007 & 2008.

The Illustrators, Chris Beetles Gallery, London.  December 2006.