Channel is Somerset House’s new curated online space for art, ideas and the artistic process.
Share
The exhibition is the largest World Illustration Awards show to date, showcasing the full shortlist of 200 works. It explores what illustration means today, how it shapes our world and understanding and how the art form itself is changing.
At once global and personal, visitors can expect to be inspired by this diverse, engaging exhibition. This annual survey of the best illustration globally will explore where illustration is now, where it is heading in the future, and showcase the legends of the industry who continue to inspire new generations of artists.
The shortlist has been drawn from a record of 3,300 entries from 75 countries, with the 2018 Awards attracting over 1,000 more entries than in 2017.
"this category was thrilling for the weird and wonderful breadth we saw. It's exciting, and quite reassuring, to see how illustrators around the world are pushing the boundaries of what their work could and should be."
Awards Judge - Rob Alderson, Editor-in-Chief at Wetransfer on judging the new Experimental category
Nix Ren, Zoom / Shortlist - Books
Timo Meyer, Polarization - social platforms and tribalism 2018 / Shortlist - Editorial
Highlights include Stevie Gee’s packaging for Stella McCartney Kids underwear range. They wanted a fun and interactive approach to the boxes where each side had either a different body part or face so that when stacked, they would create a multitude of brilliantly bizarre characters.
Stevie Gee - Stella McCartney Kids Packaging 2018 / Shortlist - Design
Stevie Gee - Stella McCartney Kids Packaging 2018 / Shortlist - Design
“I drew them in my usual way - lots of hair, bright colours and silly stuff. I was keen they weren't all just happy and sunny vibes so there’s a melting head, sad faced skateboarding skeleton, dopey eyes and angry mouths in there too. I drew all the linework in black ink and the colour was applied in photoshop using my own palette combined with some specific Stella brand Pantones.”
Stevie Gee
Magoz’s engaging, succinct GIF Do You Have Questions? Ask! was commissioned for the launch of a new car by SEAT. The campaign was called "START MOVING" and was about taking decisions, being brave and stepping out of the comfort zone. This particular piece was about asking questions and finding answers.
Paul Thurlby’s life enhancing National Treasures campaign for John Lewis is included in the site specific category. Paul was the first illustrator to ever design the John Lewis window displays.
paul_thurlby_peter_jones window.jpg
Paul Thurlby, National Treasures 2018 / Shortlist - Site Specific
This year’s shortlist is notable for pushing the boundaries of illustration, including virtual reality, participatory elements, and influences of craft such as ceramics and papercuts.
Ester Goh’s site-specific work for Singapore airport consists of nine coin-operated animated exhibit windows that draw parallels between the free-spirited nature of birds and travellers with a passion for exploration.
ED_Pro_CW_Esther Goh_Emoji world.jpg
Esther Goh, EMOJIWORLD 2018 / Shortlist - Editorial
A virtual-reality setup created by Malaysian artist Book of Lai is a 360 degree interactive illustration, allowing users to explore the virtual space with fun and curiosity, while Irma Gruenholz’s hand-painted ceramic sculptures convey their stories through unconventional media and only reveal this at a second glance.
EX_Pro_CW_Book Of Lai_ 360 Tiny Living Space website.jpg
Book of Lai, 360 Tiny Living Space 2018 / Shortlist - Experimental
Irma Gruenholz_Fruit Of The Forest web.jpg
Irma Gruenholz, Fruit of the Forest, 2018 / Shortlist - Experimental
Visit theaoi.com to see the full shortlist.
The World Illustration Awards is presented by Somerset House resident The Association of Illustrators (The AOI), in partnership with the Directory of Illustration in the US. It is generously supported by sponsors and partners. Full details of the awards can be found on the AOI website.
