Acclaimed Bristol studio Aardman Animations is this year marking 40 years of providing charming, entertaining and unforgettable animated characters and stories to the world. The multi-award-winning production house, best known for its classic properties like Morph, Wallace & Gromit and more recent hit Shaun the Sheep, is marking the occasion with a series of special events, exhibitions and merchandise.
On July 27, the studio kicked off a 40-day countdown to its official “birthday” of September 4 on the Aardman website. Each day, fans can click on to check out a classic clip, behind-the-scenes video, interactive experience or bits of lesser-known work as new treasures are unearthed.
Among the special anniversary products that fans can get their hands on are a commemorative Isle of Man Post Office stamp collection and gifts products; plush ornaments from Steiff featuring some of Aardman’s best-loved characters (available for pre-order now), and The Art of Aardman book from Simon & Schuster UK — a stunning collection of rarely seen drawings, storyboards and stills culled from 40 years of creative output at the studio.
Later in September, animation art admirers will have a chance to own an original piece by an Aardman artist, with a collection to be exhibited and sold at The Illustration Cupboard gallery in London. Works include drawings and character studies of Wallace & Gromit by Nick Park and Morph by Peter Lord. There will also be a specially produced sculpture of Morph on display among the pieces, which will carry prices starting under 500 GBP.
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