Adding value to Spanish Illustration
Nov 6, 2017
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Alfredo González, Illustration to Seis barbas de besugo, Media Vaca. 2007
Illustration seems to be one of the less-attention-paid disciplines within the visual arts, considered a genre less outstanding and more popular in comparison to other techniques more recognised, like the oil painting or the engraving. Luckily, in the last few years, illustration has recovered a great reputation and the offer of illustrated books in the market, for children and adults, has increased. We no longer look for fairy tales pocketbook for kids with series-designed drawings, but for little masterpieces made with love and care in which, sometimes, text remains in a second place.
Alfredo González, “De Moscú a Nueva York”, 1989
The Illustration National Award started in 1978, though during the first thirty years the aim of this recognition was to reward a work of illustration, unpublished in Spain, of an infant or youth publication. Since 2008, the line of this award has changed, and now it is devoted to the artistic career that the author, as an illustrator, has developed into the Spanish literature realm.
Alfredo González, “Teoría de Madrid”, 1980
This year the award was granted to Alfredo González “due to his dilated career, that led him to work in different spots of Spain and the world, to his cultivation of different aspects of illustration and to his teaching and influence into following generations”, as the Ministry has stated. This author, graduated in Philosophy and Theology, worked for many years in the advertising sphere, a profession that led him to live in numerous countries before he returned to Spain.
Alfredo González. “Nueva York”, 1995
Alfredo devoted to illustration 65 years of his life. He collaborated in media like EL PAÍS, La Codorniz, El Jueves, El Papus, Muy Sr. Mío, Cambio 16, La Calle or El Mundo. He also illustrated works in cooperation to writers like Francisco Umbral, in the book entitled Teoría de Madrid, or Ignacio Carrión, in De Moscú a Nueva York. The award arrives at his 84 years old, in a perfect moment, as he himself confesses: “my soul became fluffy with this award, it is the best of all the awards that I have received and it has arrived in the ideal moment”.
