The illustrations in The Seven Kids (OQO editora, 2008) by Teresa Lima (OQO editora 2008) and What a Downpour! (OQO editora 2009) by Eva Montanari have been selected to take part in the IV biennial international exhibition Ilustração para a infância 2009.
Their work, together with the remaining 50 selected, will be on show from 12th, February in the exhibition held at Museu da Electricidade, in Lisbon.
A total of 1,400 illustrators from 61 countries sent their illustrations to the IV edition of Ilustrarte, affirming once again a meeting point to discuss the best international illustration for children’s books, keeping Portugal on the agenda of the most important events in this field.
Teresa Lima, Portugal, has contributed to this renewed version of The Seven Kids by Tareixa Alonso, elegant and delicate illustrations that offer meanings at distinct levels.
The figures almost seem to dance in open spaces. If we stop to observe an image, little by little we are trapped in a much more complex universe.
Her comforting watercolours are soaked in the atmosphere of dreams. However, the illustrator has clarified on numerous occasions that it doesn’t represent a “dream” world, but limits herself in transferring to her images just as the oneiric enters with every right into the real world inhabiting it as if it had always been “home”.
Eva Montanari, Italy, who is also the author of What a Downpour! proposes in this album a plastic work of sculptural character using different materials –paper, ceramic…- imposing in a spectacular way and convincingly takes up the double page of the book, designed in function of the verticality of the main characters, a line of fantastic characters blend into the city, although recognizable in their human aspect.
EIGHT YEARS OLD.
Ilustrarte is biennial and concentrates on the illustrations for children’s books celebrated in Portugal since 2003. The first editions were held in Barreiro and this year it has been moved to Lisbon, to the Museu da Electricidade.
The intention of this contest is to give children’s illustrations the category of artistic manifestation; to create a space to discuss the same, for authors, readers, creators; and to convert Portugal in a reference point in this field.
The contest consists in the participants sending up to three originals, not published or published in the last two years, since the last biennial.
The international panel made up by Wolf Erlbuch (German illustrator and designer. Anderson Medal 2006), Susanne Janssen (German illustrator and Ilustrarte winner, 2007), Brigitte Morel (French publisher), Jorge Silva (Portuguese art director) and Storytailors (Portuguese fashion designer).
