The Cecil Higgins Gallery holds a major archive of the work of Edward Bawden comprising works from all periods of his career from 1922 until his death in 1989. This was made possible by Edward Bawden’s generous gift to the gallery of the contents of his studio in 1986. In a letter to the Gallery’s curator he wrote,

“My own wish, would be for all the jigsaw pieces of my life’s work to be together, not scattered willy-nilly to any institution that happened to want this bit or that … I must say I would feel immensely happy if I could be allowed to leave my remains to Bedford.”

The gallery's relationship with Bawden began when he was commissioned to design a tapestry (Bunyan's Dream) for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Bawden, as painter, printmaker, draughtsman and graphic designer, was among Britain's most original artists. His unique vision of the world around him resulted in a style characteristic of an English eccentric. In a career spanning over 60 years, Bawden produced some of the most influential designs of the 20th century, from advertising material for Shell to ceramics for the Orient Line. The Cecil Higgins Gallery contains over 300 examples of his linocuts and lithographs, as well as material for the London Underground, Fortnum & Mason, Twinings and NatWest Bank to name but a few. In addition, the archive contains Bawden's working drawings, lino blocks and unrealised project designs, which exemplify the work of this leading 20th-century artist and designer.

• Edward Bawden: chronology
• Exhibitions
• Collections: where to see    examples of Bawden's work
• Bibliography
   
• Designs
• Murals
• Paintings & Drawings
• Prints
• Tapestry - Bunyan's Dream at
  the Cecil Higgins Gallery