Author, illustrator, teacher
The work of John Vernon Lord will be celebrated in a major retrospective exhibition hosted by the University of Brighton’s Centre for Contemporary Visual Art showcasing many examples of his prolific output over a 50 year career. The exhibition and accompanying book ‘Drawing Upon Drawing’ will provide biographical details and a valuable insight into his approach to his work.
The book is a useful source material for anyone interested in illustration. It contains extracts from many of Lord’s lectures and articles, and highlight his reflections on drawing and teaching. The title evokes both the notion of drawing in terms of volume as well as his idea that he ‘draws upon drawing’. The introduction was written by fellow children’s author and illustrator Quentin Blake.
John Vernon Lord began freelance illustrating in the 1960s, working on commissions covering books, magazines and advertising media. In 1972 he produced the children’s classic The Giant Jam Sandwich, a perennially popular work that has since been translated into many languages and has never been out of print. Other works for children have also been published widely and similarly translated. To adult readers, however, Lord is associated with a number of prominent publications that have given full expression to his considerable range and interests. Inspired by poetry, myths, legends, sagas and epics, he is an illustrator-contributor on these subjects to the Folio Society; his most recent book is an illustrated edition of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark. Further back in time, The Nonsense Verse of Edward Lear (1984), which included 330 illustrations, won two national awards. His Aesop’s Fables (1989) included 110 illustrations and won the W.H. Smith/V & A Illustration Award in 1990.
Lord’s distinguished contribution to teaching and learning includes a number of high-profile positions both in England and abroad. He has lectured widely and been an external examiner on many undergraduate and postgraduate courses. He has also served on various national and international selection panels for illustration and children’s book awards and prizes. In the 1980s he chaired the Graphic Design Board of the Council for National Academic Awards. He was Professor of Illustration at the University of Brighton until 1999; he is now Professor Emeritus.
His work has been exhibited worldwide and is in many private collections.
Supported by the University of Brighton Foundation
Private View Friday 16 March 2007 5.30 – 8pm
