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The cheerful small-town Britain that can be seen in the iconic stop-motion masterpiece, Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave, is beloved by millions of fans around the world. The Oscar-winning 1995 main feature and its supporting spin-offs and shorts have been staples of British culture, creating generations of fans and leading to a successful merchandise empire.

The success of the charming duo of Wallace and his faithful dog Gromit, who adventure through town, solving mysteries and relying on each other in their tightknit suburban neighbourhood, was possible thanks to the careful curation of the Wallace and Gromit Written Archive.

The Wallace and Gromit Written Archive contains all of the materials relating to the production of the movies, shorts and merchandise, including scripts, designs, conceptual art, character models, and storyboards. It also includes photographs and documentary footage taken during the making of the films, as well as promotional materials such as press and promotional interviews, photographs and posters.

The archive was initially established to preserve the materials for posterity, but over the years it has become a priceless resource for animators, studios and fans alike. The materials in the archive give insights into the creation process and help inform new projects, while the objects in the archive are a key reminder of the beloved characters and stories that have made Wallace and Gromit such a huge success.

The archive has allowed aspiring animators to take a peek into the meticulous process of creating the beloved characters, getting an up-close look at how the now world-famous pair were created. The archive is a perfect example of how an archive can be used to curate not just history, but also culture itself.

In addition, the Wallace and Gromit Written Archive continues to be an invaluable resource for creators who wish to create their own original works. Animators have studied the archive to get furtive insights into how Wallace and Gromit were brought to life, inspiring countless artists and bringing the canon of Wallace and Gromit to new and exciting directions.

The Wallace and Gromit Written Archive is a thoroughly engrossing collection of works that’s supported countless fans and creators alike. Its existence is a vivid reminder of the power of archives to preserve cultural memories, as well as inspiring us to take the next steps forward.