COLLABORATORS
THE ILLUSTRATION REPORT QUARTERLY EDITION
theaoi.com/varoom-mag
COVER BY: UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON BA GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION CLASS OF 2016
PHOTOGRAPH BY: JULIET KLOTTRUP
I L L U S T R AT I O N, C U LT U R E , S O C I E T Y
Spring 2016 / Issue 33 / £8.00
10 COME TOGETHER
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COME TOGETHER 11
Collaboration, like God, is in the detail. ANNA and ELENA BALBUSSO, MARCO LAWRENCE, CHIE CHIHIRO and GIULIA GARBIN have created collaborative work across illustration, print-making, limited run books and ceramics. They share their thoughts and experiences on collaboration with author DEREK BRAZELL
ComeTogether Ballroom Blitz, Anna+Elena=Balbusso, Tor Books, 2015
“The best collaborations were made with people that have completely different backgrounds and skills from mine,” says illustrator Giulia Garbin, defining the benefit of working collaboratively. The spark of fresh ideas and advantages of combining alternative experiences leading to the creation of something new – an image or object that may not have materialised through the input of one person alone. Certain elements, such as communication and trust, need to be in place for a joint venture to be successful. Illustrating twins, Anna and Elena Balbusso, believe that, “it would not be possible to work together if one dominates the other”. And there is the challenge, says Garbin, who worked with a small publisher and printers on the Tipi di Torino book project, of “being able to coordinate your side of the work with that of the others”. Mediation, discussion and planning are emphasised as ways to overcome any clashes in direction for a project. Collaborators each bring different attributes to a project, and in the case of master printer, Marco Lawrence, the combination of technical expertise and illustration background allows for a sympathetic and knowledgeable contribution to the process of making a print with an artist, “a true master printmaker can sometimes have an active and creative role in the aesthetic of the final print”. Working as a team allows for division of labour, and the two sisters who make up Chie Chihiro divide tasks between themselves, and although one may take a lead on certain illustration projects, they both come together for their range of ceramics, “We will often paint on each other’s sketches, which always brings unexpected images and colours, which is very exciting”. Also, the effect of them working together means they challenge each other, “we up our game”. So despite the satisfaction of personal achievement, “I think that the most interesting work I’ve done comes out from collaborations,” reflects Garbin. The Balbusso’s agree, “We share the credit and successes but also the difficulties and fatigue. Two heads are better that one – we are lucky!” Read on for some unexpected insights into the process of collaboration.
26 PAS DE DEUX
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PAS de DEUX
PAS DE DEUX 27
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When I look at publicity and read blogs by people in children’s book publishing, very often they make illustrators take back seats to writers, even when people are discussing lavishly illustrated picture books where the pictures tell most of the story. But people in the comics business tend to be much more aware of the artist’s role in storytelling, and very often the artist will work as illustrator, letterer, inker, colourist and designer all at once. Publisher David Fickling’s forays into child-friendly comics – first with The DFC and then with The Phoenix comic, both based in Oxford – have introduced many likeminded comic creators to each other and forged friendships resulting in groundbreaking new work. Neill Cameron and Kate Brown are a terrific example of creators who both write, draw and make excellent solo comics, but create something possibly even more magnificent when they come together and play to their strengths. I first spotted their collaborative work in The Phoenix comic, a four-page story about young girls and ballet. I was impressed at Cameron taking on a subject rarely tackled in modern British comics (particularly by a bloke), and the tight story seemed to pull together Brown’s gorgeous artwork and intelligent use of comic panels in a way that was taking her in a new direction. Neill clearly states that their new comic book Tamsin and the Deep is ‘by’ both of them, and because he knows what goes into making pictures, he’s able to credit Kate knowledgeably as co-author for her huge role in their collaboration. And it’s interesting that while Kate can do flashy visuals, what’s most important to them both is the clarity of the story and how she can go about communicating that with her images and layouts. Their choice to set Tamsin and the Deep and its upcoming sequel in modern-day Cornwall feels as fresh and exciting as the story’s sea air. ➳
The recently released TAMSIN AND THE DEEP by NEILL CAMERON and KATE BROWN is part of a highly successful ongoing collaboration for THE PHOENIX comic that began with ballet story EMILIE’S TURN. SARAH MCINTYRE looks behind the creative curtain to discover the nuts and bolts of a successful children’s book collaboration between writer and illustrator
The DANCE of ILLUSTRATOR and WRITER Emilie’s Return, Neill Cameron and Kate Brown, The Phoenix
What’s most important to them both is the clarity of the story
22 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS : Street Art
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Noted: Reflections & Process TRISTAN MANCO ON 44FLAVOURS
Introducing two artists whose work always feels fresh – the dynamic art and design duo 44FLAVOURS, otherwise known as SEBASTIAN BAGGE and JULIO RÖLLE from Berlin. As their name suggests, their artistic range is enticingly broad, to the extent that they could be described as multi-multi-disciplinarians embracing and excelling in so many areas of the arts, from graphic design to sculpture to fine art painting. There is an excitement in this un-restricted way of working which anticipates a future where this will be the norm rather than something which sets them apart. Creativity without limitations is at the heart of what they do. Firstly, as a partnership their creation already eschews egos, it is not about the individual, but what they create together. Secondly, they like to collaborate with others, with community groups or artists from other disciplines, which creates a great energy. Since their work has so many platforms from commercial to educational, ideas cross-pollinate from one to the next, which they might not otherwise in a more limited practice. Finally, what makes their artistic flavours original and different every time, is in every endeavor they set themselves the challenge to do something they have not done before. For instance, they might collaborate in new unusual ways or paint and draw with inventive typography, shape and line in a manner that doesn’t follow formulas. If there are unwritten rules to be broken they will want only break them with pleasure!
Halma exhibition flyer, 44flavours and Jim Avignon, Artclub Familie Montez, Frankfurt, 2015
BOUND
32 Marian Bantjes – Collaborators
bantjes.com
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Paul Davis – Collaborators
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34 GIRLS’ WORLD
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THE ‘FABULOUS YEAR 24 GROUP’ & THE SHOJO MANGA REVOLUTION
WORLD
tells the extraordinary story of a group of pioneering young Japanese women who reshaped the comics industry and the wider culture, challenged inherited ideas of gender and revolutionised visual storytelling. Taylor also interviews MATT THORN, whose English translations became a vehicle for popularising the work ZOE TAYLOR
Fushi no Hana (An Immortal Flower), Yukiko Kai, 1979
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50 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS : Reportage
AFTER THE
EART Noted: Reflections & Process DEREK BRAZELL ON REFLECTIONS
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Dramatic world events impact on our consciousness, creating a concern which all too often dissipates when the media turns to the next significant story. Occasionally, however, compassion translates into action. HARRY MORGAN, a reportage and documentary illustrator from the UK, has been living and working on various self-initiated projects in Asia since late 2014, and was in Nepal when the massively destructive earthquake created havoc across the country in April 2015. At that time he recorded events through drawing and assisted victims via a grassroots group, but as a response to lack of coverage of life in Nepal following the earthquake, he sought out partners to collaborate in a project that would do more. The result was REFLECTIONS. One of the collaborators, Nepali artist, JEEWAN SUWAL, defines the REFLECTIONS project as one which, “sought to present the contemporary post-earthquake issues and emotional experiences of earthquake victims from different parts of Nepal with the genuine collaboration of the artist, journalist, photographer and the researcher in one frame.” A substantial number of people collaborated, all as volunteers Nepali friends and translators collated the various experiences in audio, with others assisting in securing funds, all with the aim of foregrounding the impact on the lives of Nepali people. They include stories from a boy whose home collapsed, a lady now in a home for the elderly who lost 12 relatives, and a doctor who had to make a bamboo shelter outside his ruined clinic, and is still aiding with the physical and emotional repercussions of the earthquake. This is an initiative that truly seeks to embrace ‘working together’.
H K U A E Q
Dr Sapk, artwork by Gary Embury
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS : Reportage 51
Varoom – the illustration report, is a unique large format publication commenting on and discussing in depth the contemporary illustrated image. Varoom casts a discerning eye over illustration -‐ the 21st Century’s defining art form -‐ featuring interviews with illustrators, image-‐ makers and designers as well as giving voice to critical articles on different aspects of contemporary illustration by leading commentators. Each issue a range of expert contributing editors reveal their choice of work that has most impressed them over the last few months from the worlds of cartoons and motion, fashion and politics, personal work, children’s books and reportage. Outside UK Subscription: £39 UK Subscription: £24 Subscriptions available online: www.theaoi.com/shop/staging/index.php/theshop/products/varoom Single issues also available at £8, back issues available from: £5 plus postage (see website for more details) www.theaoi.com/varoom-‐mag Inside: Bringing together individuals, networks and global brands across multimedia projects, the Collaborators issue features stories on illustrators working with printmakers, writers, manga publishers, earthquake survivors, and even with their own sisters. Also, on quilts. Also: Anna+Elena=Balbusso, Marco Lawrence, Chie Chihiro and Giulia Garbin share their experiences and thoughts on the nature of collaboration; Neill Cameron and Kate Brown on their highly successful collaboration for The Phoenix comic; ManvsMachine’s ambitious motion collaboration with Nike for Air Max Day ’16, and more. Varoom is published by the Association of Illustrators Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA Varoom website info@varoom-‐mag.com