Willie Ritchie: Comic Artist

Tower Foyer Gallery, Tower Building, 27 June - 21 August 2010

Mon-Fri 09.30-20.30 Sat 09.30-16.30
Admission Free

Baby Crockett art by Willie Ritchie, copyright DC Thomson & Co Ltd

This exhibition is a tribute to the much-loved DC Thomson artist Willie (or Bill) Ritchie, who sadly died earlier this year.

Born in Glasgow in 1931, Ritchie studied at Glasgow School of Art. After serving in the Korean War during his National Service, Ritchie joined the staff of DC Thomson. Initially working mainly for the Weekly News, he began creating comic strips for the Beano in 1955, and would go on to work for many other titles including the Beezer, Bunty, Sparky, Bimbo and Twinkle. His clean, simple style never dated, and long after his official retirement he was still in demand for the Snooty & Scamp pony strips or the Clan McWee children's books.

Simple Spyman art by Willie Ritchie, copyright DC Thomson & Co Ltd

The exhibition has been created by Museum Services in association with the School of Humanities, DC Thomson & Co Ltd and the Ritchie family.

The exhibition was launched on 27 June as part of the University's annual Comics Conference. Long-term friend and colleague Bill Graham (pictured above) gave a talk and answered questions about Willie and his work. You can read a review of the event on the Down the Tubes website.