Illustrative is a unique international exhibition for contemporary illustration and graphics. In 2009, the event returns to its hometown Berlin. From the 16th of October to the 1st of November, more than 60 artists will present an inspiring cornucopia of current graphical art. The Illustrative Talks, a series of lectures about contemporary illustration and graphic design, will open Illustrative this year. Illustrative will invite its audiences to go on a journey that is devoted to discovering tendencies and visual trends coming from graphic design, illustration, book art, comic, concept art or animation, branching out into the field of art.
Illustrative’s dual approach celebrating both new talent and more established, signifies their commitment to supporting new artists –designers. The Swatch Young Illustrators Award is the most renowned competition awarding creativity and innovation in personal contemporary illustration and graphics. It encourages and supports designers in their artistic practice and offers them an international and worldwide-recognized platform.
Awarding talent in three different categories, the Swatch Young Illustrators Award indicates current trends in graphics and illustration. Illustrative art works, art projects with graphic influences, animations and book art objects qualify for submission. Submissions can be handed in until the 30 September 2009. The jury will decide in October about each of the categories’ winners.
The nominees of the Swatch Young Illustrators Award will be invited to Berlin and get the opportunity to exhibit their work at Illustrative 2009. The winners await prizes worth 6.000 Euros as well as publications, illustration agency contracts and a chance to be featured in future international exhibitions. One winner will be invited to design a Swatch Watch – a great opportunity to join the ranks of artists such as Kiki Picasso, Pedro Almodóvar, Robert Altman and Keith Haring.
The nominees will be awarded by an international jury consisting of leading art directors, experts and editors such as Julius Wiedemann (editor „Illustration Now“), Jessica Helfand (Design Observer), Fernando Galán (art.es), Angharad Lewis (Grafik Magazine), Keiichi Tanaami (Illustrator), Maria Serrano (étapes), Cherie Federico (Aesthetica), Ruben Maurique Diaz (Neo2), Lilit Breddels (Volume Magazine), Olaf Hajek (Illustrator) and Claudia Gerdes (Page).
The prizes will be awarded in a festive ceremony at Illustrative 09 in Berlin on 17 October 2009.The short-listed artists will be announced on the Illustrative website in the beginning of October. Deadline 30 September 2009 – Registration Form at: www.illustrative.de
The Swatch Young Illustrators Award is a collaborative project of the Art Festival Illustrative and Swatch. Both partners aim to support young artists and the genre of illustration as well as to give visibility to the creative potential of contemporary graphics and illustration.
www.illustrative.de
Images (c) the artists
Christian Montenegro
Tomer Hanuka
Good Wives and Warriors
