Illustration as a bridge to an interpretive reality : an exploration in the concept of turning fictional words into subjective visuals

Abstract

This dissertation is a journey of exploration into the world of illustration. When it comes to illustration, the latter is sometimes not given as much importance as words or other expressive tools of communication. This happens when it is seen as something that accompanies, rather than adds on meaning. The aim of this dissertation is to delve into the relationship between illustration and meaning, and how this can be produced through elements of symbolism. It also explores the concept of reality and the free reigns of imagination. Simon Bartolo’s Book Deformity, acts as the basis for idea generation, and through experimentation, mainly in relation to Dada and Surrealism, a style of ink, collage and photomontage merges. The act of merging together illustration with pre-existing photography and images, produces a product that bridges fiction with one’s perception of fact.

As the artworks are to be interpreted in a subjective way, it was decided that the methodology would be centred around the collection of qualitative data, in the form of Interviews and a Focus Group. The people interviewed are a combination of illustrators, together with the author of the book and a psychologist.