Press release, 07 October 2024
Miffy turns 70 with a new exhibition at Leeds City Museum
The well-loved illustrated character created by Dutch artist and illustrator Dick Bruna invites visitors to explore Miffy’s world and offer a playful experience for both young children and adults alike.
The interactive exhibition will bring Miffy to life through creative displays and activities encouraging visitors to immerse themselves into a wonderful world of different experiences. It will also explore aspects of Dick Bruna’s design philosophy and artwork through his 124 picture books, posters, book covers, logos and house styles for charities and worthy causes.
The Leeds City Museum exhibition will run from 7 February – 7 September 2025 and is FREE to visit. The exhibition will move to Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life, Norfolk Museums from 11 October 2025 – 1 March 2026.
The exhibition is curated in partnership with Mercis.
About Miffy and Dick Bruna
Miffy was “born” on 21 June 1955, when Dutch artist Dick Bruna first drew the character to entertain his young son whilst on a rainy seaside holiday in Holland. The series of picture books which followed used simple illustrations and rhyming text to explore the universal experiences of childhood, immediately earning Bruna international critical acclaim as an illustrator and artist. Miffy has become a truly global phenomenon – synonymous with friendship, innocence, fun and design.
Dick Bruna honed his skills over the years by designing within the limits of a book cover forcing him to reduce everything to its essence and eventually arriving at the iconic character Miffy we know today. His unique style is recognized around the world and featured in exhibitions and product ranges at museums such as Tate Modern, MOMA, the Rijksmuseum and Centraal Museum in Utrecht. The last not only includes the Miffy Museum dedicated to families but also Dick Bruna’s studio.
The family-owned company Mercis’ mission is to share Dick Bruna’s work with respect for art and the world of a child.
For more information about Dick Bruna’s life and work, visit https://www.miffy.com/about-dick-bruna
About Leeds City Museum
Leeds City Museum is one of eight venues that make up Leeds Museums and Galleries, managed by Leeds City Council. The museum receives funding from Arts Council England to produce exhibitions, displays and activities for the public which showcase the collections. The museum champions Leeds and its people, using objects and stories in its care to inspire creativity and learning, and to promote the city and its place in the world. citymuseum.leeds.gov.uk
For press enquiries please email Sara Merritt – sara.merritt@leeds.gov.uk