David McConochie is the winner of the V&A Illustration Awards 2016 and inaugural recipient of the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year prize
The London-based illustrator was nominated for his cover for The Folio Book of Ghost Stories. McConochie was inspired by ‘the strangely beautiful but inherent eeriness’ of 19th-century daguerreotypes in his work in which at the focal point is a shrouded, faceless figure set in sombre colours. The judging panel were struck by the boldness of the composition and the way in which it sets the tone for the unnerving stories within the book
McConochie studied Graphic Design at the University of Teesside and has since become known for his work in photomontage, collage and assemblage and his mixed-media approach. His work has featured in The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Express and Metro and on a limited edition first class postage stamp to mark the 2012 London Olympics.
The annual V&A Illustration Awards celebrate the best illustrations published over the previous year. The judging panel for 2016 comprised author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Patrick Burgoyne, editor of Creative Review and Annabel Judd, former head of design at the V&A.
Of the 14 shortlisted illustrators, the winners of the four individual categories are as follows:
Book Cover Illustration Award and The Moira Gemmil Illustrator of the Year Prize
David McConochie for The Folio Book of Ghost Stories (The Folio Society)
Book Illustration Award
Jason Brooks for London Sketchbook (Laurence King)
Editorial Illustration Award
Bill Bragg for But today I am afraid, published in The Guardian
Student Illustrator of the Year
Kate Milner (Anglia Ruskin University: Cambridge School of Art, and AOI member) for My name is not ‘refugee’ (below)
Student Runner-Up
Joan Alturo (Arts University Bournemouth) for Morts et Vita
The separate category of Student Award was judged by Ruth Prickett, the editor of Illustration magazine and Rafi Romaya, the art director of Canongate Books.
The winner in each category for published illustration was awarded £3,000 and a trophy. For the first time, the overall winner received an additional £5,000 and was honoured with The Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year Prize. The winner of the Student Illustrator of the Year 2016 received £3,000 and a trophy and the runner up received £2,000.