The Art of Aardman to S&S UK

Simon & Schuster UK is to publish The Art of Aardman, a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the animation company.

Simon & Schuster UK acquired world rights directly from Aardman.

Aardman is one of Britain’s leading exponents of animation with a stable of successes such as "Morph", "Wallace & Gromit", "Chicken Run" and "Shaun the Sheep", as well as hundreds of advertisements and music videos.

The Art of Aardman will comprise of a written introduction from the founders - Peter Lord and David Sproxton - and will then showcase over a hundred "beautiful" and "rarely seen" drawings, sketches, storyboards and stills from the welter of creations the company have originated and brought to our television and cinema screens, including artwork by Nick Park, the creator of Wallace & Gromit. The book is a "central pillar" of Aardman’s year–long celebration of reaching its milestone of 40 years of creative output, during which the company has been awarded four Oscars and 14 BAFTAs.

Iain MacGregor, S&S publishing director for non-fiction, said: "As a child growing up in the 1970s I was captivated by 'Morph' and always looked forward to 'Take Hart'. With their string of subsequent original and hugely enjoyable films and TV shows, we all now have come to treat every Aardman production as a gift from a trusted friend... This book will something for every fan to treasure."

Peter Lord, co-founder and creative director of Aardman, added: "For me the great joy of being at Aardman has always been to work alongside inspiring artists who help us develop, explore and create wonderful films. This book is a celebration of their work, from the swiftest pencil sketch right through to the creation of fabulous three-dimensional worlds. I hope it represents the things that lie at the very heart of our studio: great art, free-flowing imagination, warmth and of course humour.”

Both Lord and Sproxton will be central in promoting the book as the company exhibits its work in 2016.