Exhibition and graphic novel about the use of humour during the Great War as a defence mechanism, to stave off despair and loss of morale.
Illustration exhibition and graphic novel about the use of humour during the First World War as a defence mechanism, to stave off despair and loss of morale.
The project consists in a short story to be presented as both a thematic exhibition of 30 framed A3 illustrations and a book (graphic novel) called A Flight Over the Soldiers' Nest, depicting the hellishness of the First World War and the human need to seek comfort in the little things.
This series of 30 illustrations represents my graduation project in Illustration & Graphics, from Coventry University, School of Art & Design.
Humour, triggered by stressful situations as a defence mechanism, was probably one of the best collective means to keep minds off the overwhelming presence of death. Creating bonds and offering short breaks amidst the horror, humour was also conveyed - on a larger scale - by the British trench magazine The Wipers Times; through my graphic novel, I aim at recreating a realistic atmosphere of the life in the trenches, with a storyline meant to reveal the physical and psychological hardships, counterbalanced by a certain type of humour, used to relieve from pain and give hope.
The choice of black and white over colour is meant to enhance the idea of bleakness, contrasting at some point with the story told, which will convey humour as a form of escaping the cruel reality of the front line.
I believe that the conjunction of history and our duty to remember, of humour and graphic arts can make this project interesting and relevant to a broad public of today, a century after the Great War.
The sum raised will be used for the purchase of:
30 A3 frames which will be used for the exhibition of these artworks in the premises of the Coventry School of Art & Design (Coventry University, Graham Sutherland Building, Priory Street, CV1 5FB, Coventry, UK), starting on the 29th of May 2015.
20 copies of A Flight Over the Soldiers' Nest graphic novel to be published in the form of a book, which will be presented as well on the 29th of May 2015. The book will be printed in the B5 format: 250mm x 176mm and will be about 40 pages long.
Passionate about illustration from an early age. For one year I studied etching and illustration at the Fine Arts Academy of Bologna, as an Erasmus exchange student.
This year, I have been a finalist in the House Of Illustration competition (London).
In the summer of 2015, I will get my BA degree in Illustration and Graphics from the Coventry School of Art & Design.
I am specialised in editorial illustration and the use of varied mediums: digital, etching, ink on paper, pencil and watercolour.
This project closed unsuccessfully on 4th May 2015