Superstitions about Animals

This is a fascinating book highlighting a depth and range of animal superstitions published over a century ago;

Superstitions about Animals, by Frank Gibson; 1904; W. Scott publishing co. ltd; London, Newcastle-on-Tyne, New York.

Housed at; Internet Archive;

https://publicdomainreview.org/collections/superstitions-about-animals-1904/

Author’s Note: My sole object in writing this little book has been to do something towards arousing a more general interest in a subject which has at no time obtained the attention it deserves. Yet there is no subject which so fully repays the thoughtful student as that of Natural History. In bringing together some of the most common superstitions about animals, and dealing with them in a light and popular way, I trust my object will in some measure be attained. If by the publication of this unpretentious work only a little of the prevalent superstition is swept away, and further interest is created in the wonders of the animal kingdom, I shall be more than amply rewarded. 
FRANK GIBSON. Bishop Auckland, July 1904

The Imaginarium

Roshahni Bowerman

Have you ever heard of an animal called the Homiariegris?
With antlers and tiger skin it stands on two feet!

Enter the world of the Imaginarium where the possibilities are endless and the creatures are brought to life.

The Imaginarium is a book filled with wonder and amazement. The book features six collaged creatures that you wouldn’t have seen anywhere else, placing them into the natural world and adding elements that are akin to animals in and around the world. Positioned sequentially in a 24 page ‘bestiary’, each fully illustrated page takes the reader on a journey through the six backstories, highlighting how they live, breathe and eat. Pointing out the differences and similarities of not only the animals which we already know about but also the ones that are hidden in plain sight.

(Click on images to view larger)

I became interested in beasts and animals when I read descriptions of H.P Lovecraft’s creations and began to explore how I would translate descriptions into fully fledged illustrations, enjoying drawing these beasts/animals and began to want to create my own. I was inspired by the work of Hannah Hoch and Lauren Child who use collage within their work to create narratives.

I began creating my own collage creatures by using imagery found within newspapers and magazines, then breathing them to life. I knew that collage was the perfect medium to represent the journey of the creation process because it was unexpected how the final piece would come out. I also wanted to exploit my own artistic ability and see where it would take me. By not only using collage, but also both traditional and digital mediums within my final book, I feel that it allowed me to fulfil the creation of the book with the sole purpose of entertaining the audience, and letting them imagine how the animals could live among them.

The Paradox of Animals

Louise Tagg

‘We visually experience and consume a dazzling panoply of animals that surrounds us in our world’ (Malamud 2012 - An Introduction to Animals and Visual Culture).

Many animals are hurt and even killed at the hands of humans. What if our fascination with looking and admiring animals is combined with this truth?

My self-directed project looks into the concept of using animal objects, as statues, pillows, or prints, to decorate our homes and admire them, combined with the truth that animals are suffering from human interaction.

Using the media of screen printing, I have incorporated illustrations of some of the most loved animals. Also, there are illustrations of objects, representing the contrast of animals and human interaction, that can threaten the lives of so many animals. I have focused on multiple areas where humans interact with animals, from trophy hunting, to threats to bees. With these, I have layered them up to demonstrate this concept, using colours that can be enhanced using coloured lenses. When you look at one layer, you admire the animals, using another lense, the visual ‘threats’ appear, and the third instructs: ‘Find the Truth’.

Using research throughout this year, I wanted to get across the idea of a culture that uses animals in its decor, to essentially look appealing, yet when you see it with a new lense (literally) the truth of the interaction humans have with these animals is unveiled - The Paradox of Animals.

Lino-mation

'Lino-mation'

Individual Lino cut stills printed by our students and and compiled as a group animation by Dominic Leatham (Leatham.co.uk)

Capturing colour: the art of scientific illustration

A good article about scientific illustration, this is well worth a read.

Magpie - Dylan Botting

For this project I decided to focus on magpies as I have always found them interesting and I already knew a few facts about them before hand which would help with my starting point. As I developed my research I focused on the riddle connected with magpies and began to talk about the meaning of it.

I made a series of images for each section of the riddle, these are a few examples. I started these by taking photos of magpies then sketched them out. I then put them onto Photoshop and began experimenting, with inspiration from artists such as Kathryn Webster and work from Magpie studios. I then experimented with colours linking to my focused theme. 

Hedgehog - Madeline Bugden

For my Research Methodology unit I decided to research the Hedgehog. I chose this because I found it an interesting animal and an animal that I liked. Once I started researching I found good information about it, however I did struggle to find ways of illustrating this and the Hedgehog in general.

I first started looking at general information about the Hedgehog and I found out that there are more than one species of the Hedgehog and that they originate from Europe and around the UK. And other information like the are born blind and can carry up to 5,000 parasites and fleas on just one Hedgehog. I found that the best information when researching came from the website 'hedgehog street'.
Once finding general information, I found it difficult to find any inspiration to illustrate my research. Although when experimenting I found that using fine line pen and watercolour really worked with the outcome I wanted.  I also used the idea of using materials to represent the softness of a Hedgehog's belly.