This text verbalises some of the frustrations I have experienced with Illustration practices, always feeling there was more to illustration that people give credit for. Fauchon and Gannon argue that Illustration is an ‘expanded practice’ and have developed a Manifesto for Illustration Pedagogy:

“We acknowledge the following to be true and unequivocal of contemporary illustration practice 

• Illustration is not the image, the slogan or a product
• Illustration cannot exist in isolation
• Illustration comes full term through participation
• Illustration thrives on a network of active collaborative relationships
• Illustration lies dormant, without engagement much like a story told but unheard”

If Illustration is an underdeveloped practice the surely the scope for its future is incredibly exciting?

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Jaleen Grove states that “the ability to articulate critical analysis, explicitly in writing as well through imagery to public audiences, will not only establish the illustrator as intellectual but also serve to showcase the agency of the subject”

This relates to my research into ‘practice as research’ and the importance of writing in collaboration with image making, but it makes me think why is the image always secondary? Why is writing intellectual but image making not? 

Perhaps because illustration isn’t always explicit it can be transient and slippery. Sometimes the image isn’t always making a comment, but acts as a question mark. Illustration is conversation rather than statement.

If writing is important how can we better support Illustration students with this practice?

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“Too often emphasis of the illustrators work is placed on the finished artefact, stylistic decisions and/or message conveyed. In contrast, much of our time working with students focuses on developing the methods and processes of thinking and doing that will enable an intelligent, thoughtful and articulate body of work to be developed”

Why do we still have end of year degree shows that only showcase the ‘final outcome’?

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Illustration still sits somewhere between fine art and graphic design, do we want to relocate? What is the middle ground between creating images for consuming and creating potentially inward looking work? Education? Collaboration?

Could my SIP be redefining Illustration and creating a space/resource where things move, a place where things are in flux? What are the potentials for contemporary Illustration?

Initial thoughts:

1. Does it matter if people don’t see it?
2. What resources do people want?
3. What support do people want? Is the AOI outdated?
4. Funding for personal projects
5. Board for collaborations
6. A place to meet like minded people

I don’t want illustration to be a basic service area, so let’s move it forward together.