A schoolboy whose doodles once landed him in trouble at school is now preparing to unveil his first major London solo exhibition — at the age of 16.
Joe Whale, known around the world as “The Doodle Boy”, will launch his new exhibition, Ambassadors of Feeling, at The Truman Brewery in Shoreditch this October.
The show marks a new chapter for the artist, who first shot to fame at just nine years old when his classroom doodles — once a source of mischief — caught the public’s imagination. He now lives in Adelaide, Australia.
The collection features more than 22 new works, including large-scale acrylic paintings and sculptures, and reflects a more deliberate way of working than the spontaneous doodling that made him famous.
“I’m really excited to be bringing Ambassadors of Feeling to London,” Joe said. “I’ve changed a lot since I left the UK, and the way I make art has changed with me.”
“When I was younger, I would just start drawing and see where it took me; now I think much more about what I want the work to say. This collection feels very personal because the characters come from feelings and experiences I’m still working through myself.”
“I hope people can stand in front of them and recognise something from their own lives too.”
At the heart of the exhibition are ten characters, or “Ambassadors”, through which Joe explores ideas such as direction, care, humanity, rebellion, positivity, peace, imagination, unpredictability, impact and awareness.
His rise began in Shrewsbury, where his doodles were first noticed on the walls of a restaurant. His playful style quickly gained international attention, leading to collaborations with brands including Nike, Disney and M&S — as well as a royal commission.
The Truman Brewery, in the heart of Shoreditch’s creative quarter, has become one of east London’s most popular exhibition spaces, hosting everything from emerging artists to major commercial shows.
London’s art scene continues to thrive this autumn — the capital is also preparing for a string of festive-season attractions, while community spaces across the boroughs are finding new life.
For Joe, though, the London show is a homecoming of sorts — a chance to show how far the doodling schoolboy has come.
Details of opening dates and tickets for Ambassadors of Feeling are expected to be announced shortly.
