The Folio Society and House of Illustration announce the judging panel for The Book Illustration Competition 2015
London, 31 October 2014: Returning for its fifth year, the celebrated Book Illustration Competition, a partnership between The Folio Society and House of Illustration, announces the judging panel for 2015. Six key figures from the literary and art worlds will be united to judge an array of truly exceptional illustration talent from across the globe.
The six judges are:
[caption id="attachment_2277" align="alignright" width="250"]
Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black, © Ben Graville[/caption]
Susan Hill (author)
Sean McSorley (BIC 2014 winner)
Joe Whitlock Blundell (Production Director, The Folio Society)
Sheri Gee (Art Director, The Folio Society)
Mandy Kirkby (Editor, The Folio Society)
Colin McKenzie (Director, House of Illustration)
This year, entrants are required to illustrate three stories and submit a binding design for a collection of ghost stories to be published by The Folio Society in 2015.
Author of the best-selling and hugely influential The Woman in Black, and other ghost stories such as Printer’s Devil Court and The Small Hand, Susan Hill will bring enthusiasm and wide experience of the supernatural genre to the judging panel. Hill says: ‘I am keen on supporting book and other illustrators in any way - they are unsung heroes.’
Joining Susan Hill is the overall winner of The Book Illustration Competition 2014, Sean McSorley. Lending his creative eye and drawing from his past experience of the competition, Sean will help to select the list of six winning entrants (three of which must be students) and the eventual overall winner who will be awarded the commission.
Bringing their vast knowledge of literature from The Folio Society is Production Director Joe Whitlock Blundell, Editor and author Mandy Kirkby and Art Director Sheri Gee. Completing this experienced group is Colin McKenzie, Director, House of Illustration.
Joe Whitlock Blundell from The Folio Society comments: ‘It’s a real pleasure to be a part of The Book Illustration Competition. We consider it a privilege to be able to work alongside House of Illustration to select the very best talent and harness their skills to enhance this new collection of classic ghost stories and create a book which people can treasure for years to come.’
Colin McKenzie from House of Illustration says: ‘The Folio Society has been one of illustration’s most constant champions, doing more than any single organisation over recent decades to celebrate and raise its profile by presenting the work of the very best illustrators in the pages of its books. It is a source of tremendous pride to all of us at House of Illustration to be working with The Folio Society on this most important prize.’
The competition closes at 9am on 19 January 2015. A long list of 25 entrants will be announced 3 February 2015. The Awards Ceremony will be held on 19 February 2015.
The Book Illustration Competition is a partnership between House of Illustration and The Folio Society. The annual international competition is open to illustrators over the age of 18 not previously published by The Folio Society, both student and professional. The winner will receive a prestigious Folio Society commission worth £5,000. Five runners up will each receive £500.
For over 65 years, The Folio Society has been publishing beautiful illustrated editions of the world's greatest books. It believes that the literary content of a book should be matched by its physical form. With specially commissioned illustrations, many of its editions are further enhanced with introductions written by leading figures in their fields: novelists, journalists, academics, scientists and artists. Exceptional in content and craftsmanship, and maintaining the very highest standards of fine book production, Folio Society editions last for generations.
House of Illustration is a vibrant arts charity, passionate about promoting the work of both emerging talent and established artists – past and present, British and international.
In July 2014 House of Illustration opened the doors to the world’s first dedicated home for illustration at the heart of the King's Cross regeneration area. Its new gallery and education studio is a major new arts space, with an accessible and exciting creative programme of exhibitions, talks and events. House of Illustration is the place to see, learn about and enjoy all forms of illustration, from adverts to animation, picture books to political cartoons and scientific drawings to fashion design. Visit houseofillustration.org.uk
2 Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4BH. @illustrationHQ
Registered Charity number 1095210
For updates about this year's competition follow @foliosociety and @illustrationhq and use #BIC2015 to join the debate.
Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black, © Ben Graville[/caption]
Susan Hill (author)
Sean McSorley (BIC 2014 winner)
Joe Whitlock Blundell (Production Director, The Folio Society)
Sheri Gee (Art Director, The Folio Society)
Mandy Kirkby (Editor, The Folio Society)
Colin McKenzie (Director, House of Illustration)
This year, entrants are required to illustrate three stories and submit a binding design for a collection of ghost stories to be published by The Folio Society in 2015.
Author of the best-selling and hugely influential The Woman in Black, and other ghost stories such as Printer’s Devil Court and The Small Hand, Susan Hill will bring enthusiasm and wide experience of the supernatural genre to the judging panel. Hill says: ‘I am keen on supporting book and other illustrators in any way - they are unsung heroes.’
Joining Susan Hill is the overall winner of The Book Illustration Competition 2014, Sean McSorley. Lending his creative eye and drawing from his past experience of the competition, Sean will help to select the list of six winning entrants (three of which must be students) and the eventual overall winner who will be awarded the commission.
Bringing their vast knowledge of literature from The Folio Society is Production Director Joe Whitlock Blundell, Editor and author Mandy Kirkby and Art Director Sheri Gee. Completing this experienced group is Colin McKenzie, Director, House of Illustration.
Joe Whitlock Blundell from The Folio Society comments: ‘It’s a real pleasure to be a part of The Book Illustration Competition. We consider it a privilege to be able to work alongside House of Illustration to select the very best talent and harness their skills to enhance this new collection of classic ghost stories and create a book which people can treasure for years to come.’
Colin McKenzie from House of Illustration says: ‘The Folio Society has been one of illustration’s most constant champions, doing more than any single organisation over recent decades to celebrate and raise its profile by presenting the work of the very best illustrators in the pages of its books. It is a source of tremendous pride to all of us at House of Illustration to be working with The Folio Society on this most important prize.’
The competition closes at 9am on 19 January 2015. A long list of 25 entrants will be announced 3 February 2015. The Awards Ceremony will be held on 19 February 2015.
The Book Illustration Competition is a partnership between House of Illustration and The Folio Society. The annual international competition is open to illustrators over the age of 18 not previously published by The Folio Society, both student and professional. The winner will receive a prestigious Folio Society commission worth £5,000. Five runners up will each receive £500.
For over 65 years, The Folio Society has been publishing beautiful illustrated editions of the world's greatest books. It believes that the literary content of a book should be matched by its physical form. With specially commissioned illustrations, many of its editions are further enhanced with introductions written by leading figures in their fields: novelists, journalists, academics, scientists and artists. Exceptional in content and craftsmanship, and maintaining the very highest standards of fine book production, Folio Society editions last for generations.
House of Illustration is a vibrant arts charity, passionate about promoting the work of both emerging talent and established artists – past and present, British and international.
In July 2014 House of Illustration opened the doors to the world’s first dedicated home for illustration at the heart of the King's Cross regeneration area. Its new gallery and education studio is a major new arts space, with an accessible and exciting creative programme of exhibitions, talks and events. House of Illustration is the place to see, learn about and enjoy all forms of illustration, from adverts to animation, picture books to political cartoons and scientific drawings to fashion design. Visit houseofillustration.org.uk
2 Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4BH. @illustrationHQ
Registered Charity number 1095210
For updates about this year's competition follow @foliosociety and @illustrationhq and use #BIC2015 to join the debate.