"I wrote and illustrated a children's story a long time ago when I was 14 while I was convalescing from a car accident," Albarn told us. "It wasn't until my own children were growing up that I felt inspired to write another story for them. I drew my son and my daughter for the two main human characters in the book and so it has elements of their childhood and mine."
Jessica, sister of Blur front man Damon Albarn, previously worked with Helmut Lang NYC before writing and illustrating her first children's book. The book which took four years in total to create, was picked up by Maxine Groucutt, Liberty's head of visual identity.
"A few years ago I showed my work alongside a fashion collection by Pearl Lowe at Liberty," said Albarn. "I met Maxine Groucutt and this year she asked if I would like to have a window for my work. I was looking for a gallery that could house the exhibition and the book launch so, I showed her the book and it all came together beautifully."
The illustrator has big plans for the coming year including new exhibitions and a new book.
"I would like to turn the book into a film and animate my drawings," she said. "Also I have written the rough for my next book, although no ones read it yet! I wanted to see this book through first. Exhibition wise I am really looking forward to getting back into the studio and working on a whole new body of work."
Jessica's exhibition is on show at Liberty's from today until July 11. For more information on The Boy In The Oak please seewww.jessicaalbarn.co.uk
