From the wonderful world of Illustration OFFSET 2018 will proudly host the award-winning illustrators Blexbolex & Beatrice Alemagna on the main stage next March. French artist Blexbolex has charmed the world with his playful cartoons and illustrations and his experimental approach to combining illustration with industrial printing techniques and book production making him a true pioneer in his field.
A native of Bologna, Alemagna made her first picture book at the age of eight and is now the creator of over 30 picture books, which have been translated into over 14 languages. Her inventive use of collage & drawing, quirky characterisation and sense of spontaneity are the reasons why her books appeal to children and to adults worldwide.
Blexbolex’s style of illustration (the abstraction of the human figure, vibrant color and experimental design and print techniques) mark him out as a pioneer in the form. Starting out as a comic artist, his artistry came to the world’s attention after he joined the comics group Le Dernier Cri. Blexbolex’s work has been featured in various prestigious art forms, such as The New York Times, Le Monde and The Ganzfield.
He has written many graphic novels and children’s books, such as No Man’s Land & Abeccederia (both published by London indie publisher & OFFSET friends No Brow), and the critically acclaimed children’s book trilogy ‘People‘, ‘Seasons‘ and ‘Ballad‘ that won “Best Book Design of the World” at the Leipzig Book Fair. His latest book “Nos vacances” has just won a Golden Nugget at the Jeunesse Book Fair in Montreuil.
Beatrice Alemagna is an award winning author and illustrator. She has published various different children’s books, both independently and collaboratively, such as A Lion in Paris, The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy, Picasso and Lump, and Lotta Combinaguai.
Her techniques of illustration range from the use of pencil and paint to collage and embroidery. A consummate storyteller, her intimate and imaginative books are completely intertwined works where the words and the pictures meld seamlessly and become one.
Her long list of accolades include the Premio Andersen Award, a Bologna Ragazzi Mention, five White Ravens Awards and three Baobab Prizes for the most innovative books for children. Her most recent children’s book, On A Magical Do-Nothing Day has been highly acclaimed since its release this pass September. It has won “The Best Book of the Year” Landerneau Prize, the Grand Prix in Illustration of Moulins and Gold medal of the Society of illustrators – New York, 2017