The Plight of the Homeless Orca, a work created by Maltese artist JULINU, beat over 2,000 other entries to be shortlisted to the prestigious AOI World Illustration Awards.
Maltese artist Julinu (Julian Mallia) is currently studying in the UK. One of his works – The Plight of the Homeless Orca – which was exhibited locally as part of Divergent Thinkers 3 has been shortlisted to this year’s World Illustration Awards organised by The Association of Illustrators (AOI).
The competition shortlist is described as “exceptional work by illustrators currently making an outstanding contribution to visual culture”. Julinu’s work competed against more than 2,100 entries to make it to this shortlist.
What inspired you to take part in the AOI awards?
I have always seen the AOI as something big, yet distant, even back when I was still working in Malta, where illustrators and designers are practically unrepresented and the illustration profession is largely unrecognised.
However, since I’m currently reading for a masters degree in illustration at the University of Brighton I was eligible to participate in the new talent category.
I got to know about it by chance as some kind soul left a few promotional flyers running around in our course area and I happened to be intrigued by the front image.
To be honest, I’m not too keen on competitions and self-promotion but I thought this opportunity was worth a shot so I submitted one artwork. I was delighted to see that reputed judges shortlisted my work from over 2,100 submissions.
What is the concept behind The Plight of the Home-less Orca?
This piece was submitted with three other pieces for the exhibition Divergent Thinkers 3 that was themed around the word ‘radical’.
In the Plight of the Homeless Orca I decided to radically transform the role of a nest from a sheltering home into a hostile and inappropriate dwelling. I did this by playfully replacing its usual occupant.
I think the idea was triggered off by the nagging feeling that my ambitions as a visual communicator were somewhat incongruous with my experience of the current Maltese art, design and illustration scene.
When a thought becomes pervasive, it becomes difficult to suppress and so it tends to channel its way out in some way.
So, in a way, the orca in a nest represented my situation at the time and the dissonance was one of the reasons that made me take the plunge to check out other nests, so to speak.
Metaphorically speaking, an orca will never be comfortable in a bird-nest – no matter how hard it tries to convince itself that this is its home.
When it runs out of excuses justifying its uncomfortable situation it will be faced with the absurdity of its current reality.
It is in its own interest to do something about the situation and, at least, try to explore different ‘nests’ in order to find a more suitable dwelling.
What can you tell us about the creative process of the piece and its execution?
Like in most of my pieces, my creative process tends to start from a thought that is triggered from varying sources or cues.
My work tends to be concept-driven, rather than decorative
I have a habit of writing down uninhibited ideas that cross my mind and that have potential to be translated visually.
Some of these thoughts make it to the sketchbook, where I test the ideas visually. Being fascinated by surrealism, I tend to employ a similar approach to my work.
I find that the planned juxtaposition of seemingly incongruous objects tends to reveal a poetic beauty that only images can convey.
Most of my ideas work better with a figurative treatment, so when a sketch looks promising I go on to source photographic references that match my vision.
I usually photograph my own stuff when possible but when, for example, I can’t find a whale that’s friendly enough to pose for me I’ll have to rely on a collage of images found online or in books.
In this piece, the collage was used as reference to create the actual piece which was then laboriously executed in pencils.
The medium allows for meticulous detail and this helped deliver the ‘visual lie’ in a more convincing manner, while retaining the playful charm of a hand-drawn illustration.
How do you describe your art?
I consider my personal work to be a processed by-product of my thoughts and lifestyle, so it tends to evolve according to my respective phase in life. Nonetheless, some aspects are fairly consistent in the sense that my work tends to be concept-driven, rather than decorative. It features surreal ideas that are occasionally laced with dry humour and is often dark and moody.
My commercial work is usually concept-driven as well, but the execution or style is more reliant on the client brief and so it’s usually more upbeat, colourful and positive.
Your works range from traditional media to contemporary digital pieces. Which aspect do you identify more strongly with?
I go through phases with regards to technique and it usually depends on the context. For personal work I’m more inclined to work with pencils or with oil paint. I find that these media are more immediate, expressive and hence more suited to my tendencies.
I find there is certain charm in the rough brush strokes on a physical surface. The work doesn’t have to be all smoothed out for it to impart the intended feeling.
On the other hand, when I’m commissioned to do commercial illustrations where the outcome has to look rather pretty and approachable I tend to go for digital painting with a graphics tablet.
This allows me more freedom to experiment with colour combinations and to make quick changes according to client wishes.
Sometimes I combine traditional media with digital media and this opens up a wider range of opportunities in execution.
Currently, I’m finding myself more inclined to work with oil paint and adding a few digital interventions.
You are also heavily involved in the music scene through your band Different Strings. Is there an area that wins out between music and visual arts? Now that you are based in the UK, have you put music completely on the backburner?
Though most people know me as an illustrator/artist, a significant amount of personal time goes to my other big passion, which is drumming. While I’m not a professional drummer, in the sense that I don’t earn my living through it, I consider myself a dedicated, passionate player.
In fact, one of the biggest concerns when I moved to the UK, apart from the financial burden, was how to maintain my drum practice.
At the moment music is not my number one priority, but I have maintained a modest, regular practice routine on a smaller, silent, electronic drum kit. Regretfully, I’ve had to give up my commitment to Different Strings, but I have maintained contact with another progressive rock/metal band called Viper Soup Complex by sending and receiving demo recordings and ideas in preparation for an album recording later on this year.
It is difficult for me to eliminate music in favour of visual art, because they’re both activities that form different aspects of who I am. Though drumming may be considered as just bashing and hitting stuff, developing and playing rhythmic ideas in a musical context can be just as fascinating as creating visual ideas. As in any artistic pursuit, it depends on how deep one is willing to delve into the subject.
What is next for Julinu?
My main priority at the moment is finishing a major project for my MA Sequential Design/Illustration course in Brighton which I’m quite excited about.
The course has been a great opportunity to learn more about my profession, take a break from the hectic world of advertising, explore areas outside my comfort zone, meet inspiring individuals and also learn more about myself.
I still do some freelance work for Maltese clients but I’m hoping to embark on more experiences outside Malta for the moment.
I’m hoping that being shortlisted in the AOI award will expose my work in the right context for a while. Admittedly, chasing dreams isn’t always as glamorous as the inspirational postcards make it out to be but I feel the arts context is healthier here, so I’m hoping to find a niche where my work is relevant.
www.julinu.com;
www.facebook.com/pages/Julinu