Kirsty White
Liverpool School of Art/ Liverpool John Moores University
Explanation of work
My drawing/design was inspired by references of French pattern and typography from the 18th century. This starting point allowed me to establish a relevant context in which I could represent both scenes from the book, as well as the intertwining of Grenouille’s unsettling talents with the women (represented by the flowers) and the world around him. My drawing style aimed to emulate 18th-century engravings. I incorporated into the pattern representations of the market/fish-stall, the Plomb du Cantal, ‘Pysche et l’Amour’ and a human nose (chosen for its macabre air). The colour, whilst representing auburn hair, also visualises the scent trails that lead Grenouille.
Judges' Comments
‘Continuously involving for the eye without being fussy – a beautiful fusion of the figurative and the pattern’ Will Self
‘Very accomplished. A cover you would refer back to as you read the book’ Marion Deuchars
‘Beautiful narrative illustration, carefully considered, with fantastic relevance to the text and well integrated into a design. The sensitivity shown in the choice of colour palette is admirable’ Jim Stoddart – Penguin Press Art Director
‘You are drawn to look at it again and again and find something different in it each time. I loved the sense of narrative and decoration’ Joanna Prior – Managing Director, Penguin General
