John Howe on illustration
"Do you think that fantasy art and artists are overlooked by the artworld or treated as 'illustrators' while abstract painters and conceptual artists get recognition as 'serious' artists?
Actually, it's quite refreshing to be spared all the veneer of solemnity and nombrilism that pervades the fine arts. Abstract and conceptual art is a serious business; if you can convince everyone that a gigantic gilded flower pot on a pedestal is an essential baseline gritty grass-roots indispensable comment on our modern world, then you really must have talent and conviction. Actually, given a little thought, it probably is, given the screwed-up state of world affairs... Narrative art is not in style. It is curious, though. No one criticizes authors for using existing words rather than inventing their own incomprehensible language. I find somewhat sad that many illustrators seem to long so dearly for recognition as fine artists. "
Quoted from this BBC interview
also check out his blog and galleries . I also love his commentaries on the LOTR extended editions.
Labels: abstraction, illustration, john howe, storytelling, work
posted by Stejahen at 12:44 PM
2 Comments:
I think they complement each other well, which made it providential that they both worked on the movie. If I were to choose a favorite, I would have to choose John Howe, partly for his work and partly for what he writes and says. He's so knowledgeable and articulate, everything he says is interesting.
I agree with how illustrators are shunned by the art world, which i find very odd and foolish considering that the foundations of the modern arts are of course in the past with the Victorians and the Rennaisance for example who used illustration and representation to interpret humaninty and that what the word Art means...a menifestation of the very thoughts of humanity in its existence on this remote planet. And that presence is felt with pre-historic cave painting and graffiti to name a few.
With this perception i like to consider all creative temporament and its result as all art....Afterall if someone can use an actual unmade bed (Tracy Emin) to represent a thought or idea i think also it should be accepted with an illustrators practice!!!
Andrew Craven
Fine Artist
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