Half a Century of Clay, Creativity, and Cracking Fun: Aardman Marks 50 Years in Bristol
Few studios have left such a lasting imprint on British pop culture as Aardman Animations. The imaginative team behind Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Shaun the Sheep is turning 50—and they're marking the occasion with a massive hometown celebration full of nostalgic memories, hidden treasures, and a peek behind the plasticine magic. But here's where it gets even more exciting: this golden anniversary won’t just look back—it’s a heartfelt love letter to Bristol, the city where it all began.
The world-famous studio, founded in the 1970s by two school friends, David Sproxton and Peter Lord, has grown from a small passion project into a global creative powerhouse. Known for its distinctive stop-motion animation and unmistakably British humor, Aardman continues to influence generations of artists and storytellers.
Next summer, M Shed—the city’s renowned museum celebrating Bristol’s history—will host The Cracking Exhibition Gromit: 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol. Visitors can expect much more than just film clips and character displays. The exhibition promises a deep dive into the creative process: from the first sketches and sculpting techniques to behind-the-scenes glimpses of how the studio’s unforgettable characters come to life. It’s an immersive experience that celebrates not only the studio’s art but its deep and enduring bond with the city.
Ngaio Harding-Hill, representing Aardman, expressed the team’s excitement, saying that 2026 “is such an important year for Aardman, and the anniversary wouldn’t feel complete without celebrating here, at home.” She added that the joint efforts with M Shed and the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery will spotlight how the city itself—and its people—have fueled Aardman’s creative spirit for half a century.
And that’s not all: as part of the anniversary festivities, “Aardman treasures” will be hidden throughout the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Fans young and old will have the chance to explore, discover, and relive moments that shaped the studio’s extraordinary journey. Philip Walker, Head of Culture for Bristol Museums, described the collaboration as “a brilliant celebration of Bristol’s creative energy and a tribute to the humour and imagination that Aardman has shared with the world for 50 years.”
From the pioneering days of 1989’s A Grand Day Out—the first Wallace and Gromit adventure—to modern hits like Vengeance Most Fowl, which brought back the notorious penguin villain Feathers McGraw and captured two BAFTAs along with an Oscar nomination, Aardman has consistently proven that stop-motion storytelling can be both heartfelt and hilarious. Some might argue that no other British studio has balanced artistry and charm quite like this one. Do you agree—or do you think Aardman’s best work is still to come?
So, if you’ve ever smiled at a grumpy clay dog or cheered for a chicken dreaming of freedom, this upcoming exhibition might just be your perfect summer adventure. Because even after five decades, Aardman isn’t just celebrating its past—it’s inviting us all to take part in its ongoing story of creativity, craftsmanship, and joy.
What’s your favorite Aardman moment—and how has it shaped your view of British animation? Share your thoughts below. Is this 50-year milestone a culmination of genius, or the beginning of a whole new creative chapter?
