Owen Gildersleeve
Under the Sea

A multi-layered papercut on marine surveying and how much of our oceans are yet to be discovered.

Editorial

Commissioned | Professional

Why did you make this work:
A multi-layered illustration for Modus Magazine to accompany a feature article about marine surveying. The brief was to reflect the depth of the ocean surface, the process of hydrographic surveying and how much of our oceans have yet to be discovered. My use of papercut layers needed to work well for this, to create the feeling of depth and possibly ‘hidden’ elements.

What materials and techniques did you use?:
I created this multi-layered handcrafted composition using fifteen layers of white paper, cut through with a thin band of colour, to represent the depths of the ocean and how much is yet to be surveyed. These layers were then hand assembled, white tack and foam board to add depth between the layers and shot in my Brighton studio using natural light to give nice soft shadows and retain the textures

How were your illustrations used:
The artwork was used in Modus Magazine – Modus is the member website for RICS in the UK and around the world, covering cutting edge topics that help surveyors and those working within the built environment improve their practice.


Commissioner Name :
Nina Whitley-Jones
Commissioner Company :
Sunday

Social Media:
twitter.com/ogildersleeve
instagram.com/owengildersleeve

Personal Website:
owengildersleeve.com

College:
University of Brighton


Currently Based:
United Kingdom (UK)

Biography:
With a distinctive style refined over 15 years, Owen Gildersleeve brings graphic designs to life through meticulous hand-cut layers and a playful use of light & shadow. His expertise spans intricate paper illustrations and animations to expansive sets, window displays, and installations. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with clients such as BAFTA, Meta and NASA, and exhibited worldwide.

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