Frans Masereel / The City
I am always attracted by printmaking styles, especially when they are monochromatic. Masereel’s linocuts depicting a city are actually quite complex, though the graphic style belies that. They were created in the 1920s and definitely look from that era, and I like that look.
Source: https://flashbak.com/the-city-1925-a-timeless-novel-in-woodcuts-381791/
Britta Marakatt-Labba
Marakatt-Labba's illustrations are created in embroidery, in a naïve style, depicting the artist’s own experiences as well as Sami culture, using motifs from history. I like the use of unusual media, the simplistic style and the muted colours, and the fact that she tackled a similar cold-climate experience as my own project.
Source: https://www.nnkm.no/en/exhibitions/artist-britta-marakatt-labba
Ping Zhu / Swan Lake
Zhu has illustrated Swan Lake, in a concertina book and I like the complementary colour scheme of orange, blue and yellow which gives it a pleasing unity. I also like the hard-edged graphic style of the figures, which is unusual for the subject as ballet is usually portrayed in a more impressionist, lighter style or one which emphasises the movement using blur.
Source: https://heyform.co.uk/products/ping-zhu-concertina-book?variant=8197941133409
Trajan's Column
This marble column in Rome from antiquity depicts frieze-like, continuous stories showing Roman victories beyond the Danube river. These are obviously in relief and the mass of detail is incredible, as is the level of craftsmanship in a project this immense (it measures 125 feet). I like the idea of the circularity and roundness, echoing the circularity of the stories themselves.
Benjamin Courtault / La Descente
Another illustrated book in concertina form which is screen-printed. Each scene uses only three shades, (turquoise, reds and oranges) which is eye-catching and colourful. The work shows not only exceptional story-telling abilities but also Courtault's technical proficiency in screen printing. The illustrations are detailed and dynamic in composition - I think his work is full of energy.
Source: https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/benjamin-courtault-la-descente
Javier Martinez Pedro / Migrant
Pedro has illustrated a concertina book which is bilingual (English and Spanish); it is jam-packed with detail and very little white space. I think it is a bit reminiscent of a monochromatic medieval tapestry! The technical accomplishment is astounding, even down to the length of time it must have taken to create.
Source: http://accordionpublications.blogspot.com/2015/01/mateo-jose-manuel-javier-martinez-pedro_4.html
Bayeux Tapestry
This famous, classic artefact depicting a huge, long narrative is amazing in its complexity and workmanship. I saw this in person many years ago on a school trip and the sheer scale is very impressive. I particularly like the fact that the borders also tell a story – there is so much going on at once!
Source: https://www.historytoday.com/miscellanies/stitches-time-history-bayeux-tapestry