Literature, artists' books & authorship in the education of an illustration student

In this paper I will look at the use of literature to support illustration students in the production of an artists book that seeks to question the position of the illustrator as a producer and author of work. I will discuss using literature as ‘inspiration’/starting point for an artists book and show examples of works that incorporates ideas of adaptation/interpretation/new work, authorship, production/producer. Illustration practice and in turn what it means to be an Illustrator is in a period of questioning, seeking to redefine what this means. Having a curriculum that allows students to develop their own style and individual voice, along with having the choice to work across a range of media and processes be an illustrator that works in print, digital, animation, paint ink etc. places them in a pivotal position to explore the positioning of the Illustrator.
As the arts and humanities are shaped and negotiated, subject to revision, the education of the Illustrator should seek to embed this understanding and implications in it’s curriculum design. I conclude that students introduced to ideas of authorship, production and responsibility of establishing their role as an Illustrator, will have the ambition to be engaged the debate about Illustration. By the practice and dissemination of their work, along with entering discussion and debate they can seek, not to limit their concept of Illustration, but develop an encompassing definition of what it can be.