Sketching the season with Benji Spence
This Christmas, we wanted to create new artwork that captured the spirit of the season – and of The Glasshouse.
So, we turned to Benji Spence, the illustrator behind our quirky, music-loving characters, having festive fun under our iconic roof. You’ll spot his handiwork (pictured below) in our building and out and about.
Based in Newcastle, Benji’s a freelance designer and illustrator whose work bursts with eye-catching colours and compositions with a sense of play. A first-class Illustration graduate from Cambridge School of Art, Benji’s worked on all sorts of projects with all sorts of wonderful people since 2019.
Whether he’s sketching digitally or on paper, he brings the same energy and curiosity to everything he creates, with a soft spot for screen printing and risograph. He tells us more in our chat.
What inspires your sense of playfulness in your illustrations?
I’ve never really known how to create art that isn’t at least a little playful – it’s just how I am.
There have been some key influences through the years, though: Sister Corita Kent, the screen-printing nun, is one of the big ones. And I love the quiet sense of humour in Charles Avery’s Islanders project, even though it’s visually far away from what I do.
Where do you start when creating commissions after you have a brief?
I always start in the sketchbook – a bit of mind mapping and some scribbled roughs. I prefer a cheap felt tip over a pencil; it helps me to be a bit bolder and less precious in the ideas stage.
What was your first impression of The Glasshouse, and how did that shape your approach to your commission?
I visited The Glasshouse with my primary school around 2006. I remember being struck by the building itself first, but I also have fond memories of the workshops we did there with Miss Reading, our accordion-playing music teacher. I wanted the sense of welcome to be central in the illustration. And of course, the iconic roof.
I hope fans of The Glasshouse take a little Christmas cheer from the artwork – and find something in it that resonates.
“I wanted the sense of welcome to be central in the illustration. And of course, the iconic roof.”
You’ve worked with Dance City, Newcastle City Council and more. What’s been your most memorable local project and why?
I recently designed a mural with young people from The Lighthouse Project in Byker. It was fun making illustrations based on their ideas. There was some out-there stuff – I’m looking forward to seeing it completed.
Illustration can be useful for engaging young people because it’s so immediate and accessible, and often joyful. It can be a great way to get imaginations going.
Finally, we must ask, what’s your favourite Christmas song?
A couple of years ago, my dad played the song ‘Green Christmas’ by Frankie Atwell, and it’s become a firm favourite. Though I do love belting out ‘Hark the Herald’ as well, so that’s probably a close second!
