The Association of Illustrators' new illustration magazine Varoom continues to challenge perceptions with an article on Iranian illustration in issue 02 out in November 06.
Edited by award winning art director, writer and design consultant Adrian Shaughnessy, Varoom 02 explores international trends in illustration taking a critical look at the new and radical manifestations of image making which are further stretching the boundaries of an art form rooted in tradition and the history of drawing. Set against the hostile climate of current political propaganda, London based Iranian graphic designer Nima Falatoori explores the cultural and visual heritage that influences the vibrant scene of contemporary illustration in his country. The latest developments in Japan are investigated in interviews with four Japanese illustrators whose highly influential works are revealed in 'Mapping the Terrain'.
Varoom regularly commissions highly regarded design critics and practitioners such as Steven Heller. In Varoom 02, the art director of the New York Times Book Review writes about illustrators who have developed their images beyond paper and pencil and become toymakers, a trend he traces back to the Dada movement. Paul Davis reviews David Shrigley's new animated DVD, 'Who I Am And What I Want'; Adrian Shaughnessy interviews illustrator Andy Martin and writer/broadcaster Ian McMillan about their new jointly authored book of words and pictures, 'Ideas Have Legs'. Graphic designer Vaughan Oliver makes a startling and idiosyncratic contribution by discussing his very own 'compelling image'.
In each issue an emergent or established talent is invited to contribute a visual essay. In the forthcoming issue, hip Norwegian collective Grandpeople have produced a vivid critique of current marketing practices.
With reviews in Grafik and Creative Review, a true international readership and increasing numbers of subscribers worldwide, Varoom issue 01 has already grasped the attention of the graphic design community and put illustration on the agenda of everybody who is interested in visual communication. Varoom issue 02 again features a stimulating line-up of interviews and profiles of leading illustrators and image-makers and is available in specialist bookshops and retail outlets from November 2006.
"In the elegant shape of Varoom, illustration has at last found the grown-up publication it deserves: thoughtful, well-researched writing and a portfolio's worth of exciting images to savour."
Rick Poynor, Writer and Design Critic
Varoom: http://www.varoom-mag.com/
The Association of Illustrators: https://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/3553