Last Wednesday, I was fortunate enough to return to Somerset House once again, to view the AOI Illustration Awards 2014; for the 3rd year running, it was an incredible experience, and the work has increased in detail, individuality and adventure. The incredibly unique work was displayed so beautifully throughout 3 small rooms, and even though the weather outside was just horrible, the colours, materials and the whole feel to the exhibition was something else. The work was so personal to each designer, from Charlotte Hasley’s ‘Wandering in Circles’, a round piece which included 3000 hand cut paper curls, to Partrick George’s interpretation of the modern man, each piece was so in-depth and the narrative sprung from each and every illustration. However, there was one piece which stood out to me, not only was it the winner of the AOI Illustration Awards, it was such a powerful and different illustration from the others; a fashion illustration. Created by Jasu Hu, the ‘World’s End Clothes’ was a digital piece combining fashion and architecture. The colours alone, even in black and white, were so deliberate and created the look of material through print; the 6 figures are all so different in creation and style, and the overall composition works so beautifully. Jasu Hu is such an inspiration with his work, and will help to push not only my work forward, but others in the industry.
charlotte joy 