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Artist Norman Keene replicating the original drawings done by William Heath Robinson
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Artist Norman Keene replicating the original drawings done by William Heath Robinson
Artist Norman Keene replicating the original drawings done by William Heath Robinson on boarded up shop fronts in London. Heath Robinson designed pictures to illustrate the particular merchandise inside the shop and Keene carried out the actual work on the shop fronts. Date: 1940
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Blitz Boarded Drawings Heath Jan20 Keene Norman Robinson Artists
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1. Title: "Preserving the Spirit of London: Norman Keene Replicates William Heath Robinson's Whimsical Shop Window Drawings During WWII" Amid the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, in the heart of London, a unique collaboration between two renowned artists breathed new life into the city's boarded-up shops. In January 1940, during the height of the Blitz, Norman Keene began the painstaking process of replicating the original drawings of William Heath Robinson on the shuttered storefronts. William Heath Robinson (1872-1944), a celebrated British illustrator, had designed these whimsical pictures to captivate passersby and entice them into the shops. His intricate and imaginative drawings, filled with mechanical inventions and fantastical creatures, were a hallmark of his distinctive style. However, with the shops boarded up due to the bombings, these illustrations were hidden from view. Enter Norman Keene (1904-1997), an accomplished artist in his own right. Recognizing the importance of maintaining morale during these trying times, Keene volunteered to replicate Heath Robinson's drawings directly onto the boarded-up windows. With the permission of the shop owners and the support of the London County Council, he set out to bring a touch of joy and wonder to the war-weary city. Working under challenging conditions, Keene meticulously recreated Heath Robinson's intricate designs, transforming the once-drab shopfronts into vibrant works of art. His dedication and skill not only brightened the streets but also served as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the London community during the darkest days of the war. This photograph captures a poignant moment in time, as Norman Keene continues his labor of love, replicating William Heath Robinson's drawings on a boarded-up shop window in London, 1940.
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