Varoom 39 – the Nostalgia issue

Spring 2019, cover image by Manshen Lo

The Nostalgia issue of Varoom asks whether nostalgia hold us back, or helps things progress? It uncovers projects that bring a fresh approach to image making that references the past.

Illustrators referencing the past is nothing new. An illustrator’s task is to connect with people, and using shared histories, recognisable symbols and familiar aesthetics are sure ways to find common ground.

Illustration Manshen Lo. Design Aldo Caprini at Fraser Muggeridge Studio

Issue 39 ponders the impact of the past on illustration today. Is our love of nostalgia holding us back, or can we use it to innovate?

With a redesign by Fraser Muggeridge studio and cover illustration in 4 colourways by Manshen Lo, Varoom 39 is an incisive look at what happens when the past meets the present.

Distant Memories

Joey Yu reflects on the flow between reportage and memory with drawings made across the world.

Discovering Scarfolk

Emily Jost talks to Richard Littler about his dystopian fictional town, perpetually stuck in the 1970s.

New Nostalgia

Billie Muraben asks whether nostalgic illustration hurts or helps.

Finding the Middle

Aisha Ayoade talks to Joy Miessi about preserving memory in mixed media for her most recent exhibition.

Awareness by Joy Miessi

Tracing History

Paul Gravett and Serena Katt discuss her graphic novel Sunday’s Child about her grandfather’s youth in Nazi education facilities.

Daydream Nation

Zoë Taylor looks at Ignasi Monreal’s narrative-laced campaigns for Gucci and asks whether fashion illustration can break from its past.

A to Z

Shane Walter talks to Sennep Games’ Matt Rice about the making of their crazy golf and pop culture fantasy world, Alphaputt.

Alphaputt – ‘C’

Dirty Word

Darryl Clifton critiques the use of digital textures in image-making.

Dark Tales

Olivia Ahmad explores Clive Hicks-Jenkins’ unflinching retellings of Hansel & Gretel for print and the stage.

See preview here

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