Artist Lecture: Carey Gibbons

Carey Gibbons is the future Illustration Art History teacher at MCA. Instead of discussing about her work, she discussed the work that was exhibited in the main galleries.

Jim Lamarche's illustation in Winter Is Coming

In Lamarche's illustratinos, we're observing nature with the girl. The viewer is usually above the girl, giving the idea that we're also observing her too. It's like inception... with observation. There's a quiet contemplation in his work juxtaposed by the wind blowing and giving motion to the leaves. The color connects with the landscape and the words "Winter is Coming" is repeated throughout this children's book.

Floyd Cooper's illustration in Dance Like Starlight

Written by Kristy Dempsey, this story takes place in 1950s Harlem. It addresses racial issues as it explore the story of a young African American girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. Cooper's illustrations has a vintage feel to them. His illustrations are mixed media as he starts with oil paints and erases the paint to make the picture. Then he adds on to the details. There is a contrast between the body movements within the dance (as it fixates on the motion) and the close ups on the girl's face (emotional scenes, usually involving yearning). One is fixated on the external joy as the other explores the internal turmoil.

Joy Ang's illustration for Mustache Baby

All digitally done, these illustrations have a simple design. The main emphasize is the baby's face, which holds the mustache. The body is very small compared to the head. This story is about a baby who has a mustache and based on the type of mustache he has, it influences the type of baby he becomes. It plays with exaggerations and common sense. There is also a sequel coming out:

She also discusses other children's books such as the Noisy Paint Box (illustrated by Mary Grandpré [aka the illustrator for the Harry Potter series]), Aaron Becker's Quest, Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine (based on history) illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, and more.

Overall, it was interesting to listen to each book's illustrative intents as well as how it meets up with the story. It's easy to forget that children's books are a part of art too since, well, at least for me, I'm not faced with children's books everyday. So it's nice listening to an art talk for art that's meant for a different type of audience.