INDUSTRY INSIGHT - ILLUSTRATION FIRST MOVES

Olivia Ahmad, Artistic Director, House of Illustration
Sarah Morris, Membership Manager, Association of Illustrators
Sharpay Chenyue Yuan, illustrator
George Morton, Senior Creative Agent, Grand Matter

Friday 8 July, 12:30 - 13:30

Listen back to this talk using the audio player:

Illustration provides so many creative possibilities it can be hard to know where to start. This friendly panel of illustration professionals will share insights and advice for getting your personal and professional practice up-and-running.
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PANELLISTS

Olivia Ahmad (Artistic Director, House of Illustration)

Olivia Ahmad is a UK-based curator and editor specialising in graphic arts and design. She is Artistic Director at House of Illustration in London, where her recent work has included exhibitions on socialist design and developing the UK’s only dedicated residency for illustrators. From 2018-2021 Olivia was editor of Varoom, the UK-based contemporary illustration magazine published by the Association of Illustrators. Her books include New York: Lucinda Rogers Drawings 1988-2018 (ed., West Street Press) and 100 Figures: The Unseen Art of Quentin Blake (Tate Publishing).

Sarah Morris (Membership Manager, Association of Illustrators)

Sarah Morris is the Membership Manager at the AOI and a former Illustration Agent, with a wealth of commercial knowledge and passion for illustration, design and supporting the industry. A people person and nurturer of talent, Sarah is passionate about championing creativity, new talent and is committed to helping make the industry more accessible.

Sharpay Chenyue Yuan (illustrator)

Sharpay Chenyue Yuan is an illustrator based in London, holding degrees in Archival Science from Sun Yet-sen University and in Visual Communication from Royal College of Art. In her practice, she explores illustration practice as a retroactive, multi-voiced narrative by combining field visiting and archival methodologies to explore social histories. Sharpay is the resident of New River Head Micro Residency hosted by House of Illustration. Her work has been featured in It’s Nice That, Creative Boom,  Design 360, displayed at Late in Tate Britain events, and shortlisted for V&A Illustration Award 2022.

George Morton (Senior Creative Agent, Grand Matter)

George Morton is an artist agent and freelance illustrator. Since graduating from his illustration degree nearly ten years ago, he has accumulated a broad range of experience from an array of creative agencies working across branding, design, illustration, events and advertising. A freelance illustrator himself; he has worked with clients including Amnesty International, Condé Nast and Vans.

George joined artist representation agency Grand Matter in 2018 and now works as a Senior Creative Agent at the agency; working with artists and clients across all types of commissions, whilst also heading up social media and assisting with studio campaigns and editorial projects.

Chanté Timothy (illustrator)

Chanté Timothy is an illustrator who loves experimenting with movement, vibrant colour, character design and storytelling. Chanté is a Pathways into Children’s Publishing 2019 – 2021 Alumni and her illustrations can be found in seven children’s books including Hey You! by Dapo Adeola, Daddy Do My Hair: Beth’s Twists by Tola Okogwu, and Legacies by The Black Curriculum.