The Foundling Museum is a fantastic place telling the poignant story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery. The 18th Century artist William Hogarth was a committed Governor of the Foundling Hospital and he and his wife also served as foster parents for Foundlings - children who had been abandoned by their parents and discovered and cared for by others. Hogarth's biting image Gin Lane, has come to define the terrible impact of the gin craze on London's poor. Unlike gin, beer was considered a wholesome drink (no change there!) and Hogarth's Beer Street portrays an orderly and productive society nourished by beer.
The Director of The Foundling Museum had been looking for products that could become a core range for the museum shop. This led to a meeting with the buyer where we discussed adapting our G n Tea mugs and I also pitched a new idea to reinterpret Hogarth's Gin Lane and Beer Street prints in the style of the iconic London street sign. They loved our contemporary take on Hogarth's legacy and a range of core affordable gifts was produced, using my design across fridge magnets, a travelcard holder and keyrings. We're so pleased that our work is supporting this historic institution and, as a huge champion of artist's work, we like to think Hogarth would approve!
Cheers!