We all need an escapefrom realitysometimes, and illustrators can help, and for issue 40 the UK’s essential illustration magazine explores new dimensions in its latest issue on fantasy.
Illustrator Yehrin Tong’s double-take cover design in four colour ways sees phoenixes emerging from jewel-like flames. Yehrin said that it was ‘a fantasy in itself to have worked on this cover’. Art directed by Fraser Muggeridge studio, this issue presents illustrators creating alternative worlds that send us back and forward in time and show us the impossible.
Illustration Yehrin Tong. Design Aldo Caprini at Fraser Muggeridge Studio
Inside Varoom 40
New Gothic
Paul X. Johnson introduces his latest work
Cloak of Fantasy
Ritupriya Basu discusses creating elaborate imagined worlds with Victo Ngai, from Chinese stamps to Game of Thrones.
Victo Ngai
In Rapture
Dan Pinchbeck introduces the fictional English village of Yaughton created for a stunning game.
Hail Herman Inclusus
Paul Gravett unearths Stuart Kolakovic’s arcane alter-ego Herman Inclusus – it’s a dark world. Stuart talks about his inspirations, from medieval manuscripts to Italian giallo cinema
Island Life
Tianhua Mao tells the epic tale of Puffisland: Super creatures and a Disco Worm.
Tianhua Mao
Digital Romance
Alix-Rose Cowie meets Seoul-based illustrator Ram Han to find out more about her erotically-charged uncanny interiors, rendered in glowing candy colours
Digital Fantasy from Messy Reality
Billie Murabenon the new wave of UK indie games that are shunning fast-paced action in favour of left-field storytelling and risk-taking formats – Heaven’s Vault and Telling Lies
Molly Mendoza Skip (Nobrow)
Dimension Hopping
Olivia Ahmad talks to Molly Mendoza about her colour packed graphic novel Skip.
Sewn Lore
Beau Brannick reflects on her love of folklore and embroidery.
One Space Eaten by Another Space
Luise Vormittag discovers Wei Shao’s ordered architecture.
Designed by Fraser Muggeridge studio and cover illustration in 4 colourways by Yehrin Tong, Varoom 40 is a fascinating look at visualising alternatives.
‘An essential platform’ – It’s Nice That
Purchase a copy of Varoom 40 here.