Hogarth-inspired exhibition, “Snowflake’s Progress”, by Ben Jennings, coming soon to London’s Coningsby Gallery

By John Freeman on June 17, 2024 • ( 0 )

Cartoonist Ben Jennings has his first solo exhibition, at the Coningsby Gallery in London this summer, featuring work inspired by William Hogarth.

*“Snowflake’s Progress” by Ben Jennings*

“Snowflake’s Progress” is the first solo exhibition from multi-award winning cartoonist and illustrator Ben Jennings. The project is a contemporary adaptation of William Hogarth’s famous 18th-century work, “A Rake’s Progress”, and follows a recurring character over a series of eight artworks that offer snapshots of British life set over the past 14 years of Tory rule.

*“Shite on the Beaches” by Ben Jennings*

Unlike Hogarth’s protagonist, who inherits great wealth and squanders it all on an extravagant lifestyle that ultimately leads to his downfall, our millennial character – ‘Snowflake’ – attempts more modest pursuits after inheriting the chaos and insecurity of the past decade-or-so.

Also on display will be a selection of Ben’s editorial work from over this same time period, comprising of cartoons from his day job as political cartoonist for The Guardian and The i Newspaper.

Ben Jennings is a UK-based cartoonist and illustrator who has produced work for a variety of clients worldwide. He’s probably best known for his cartoons for The Guardian and The i Newspaper, but clients also include Amnesty International, The Observer and Penguin Books.

His style can lend itself to serious subject matters, often tackling tricky topics with bold imagery, social comment and metaphor, as well more light-hearted and satirical work injecting a sense of humour and capturing likenesses when necessary with distinctive caricatures/portraits.

Established in 1994 in London’s thriving Fitzrovia, The Coningsby Gallery has become renowned for its dedication to outstanding contemporary illustration, graphic art and selected fine art. Collaborating with both upcoming and internationally recognised artists, the gallery showcases a diverse range of fine, bold and innovative work.

• “Snowflake’s Progress” by Ben Jennings | 8th – 20th July 2024 | Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham St, London W1T 4RJ Web: coningsbygallery.com

• Ben Jennings is online at ben-jennings.com | Follow Ben on X

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.