Alumna is runner up for 2013 Book Illustration Competition
Former student Varvara Perekrest has beaten over 500 entrants to be shortlisted for the third annual Book Illustration Competition.
Varvara Perekrest, who graduated with BA(Hons) Illustration in 2012, was invited to enter The Book Illustration Competition 2013, by submitting three illustrations and a binding design for the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
The competition was entered by 500 artists and Varvara was announced as runner up, winning a £500 prize at the prestigious award ceremony held on Tuesday 9 July.
Varvara found it quite difficult to work on her entry as she was still studying, but she managed to make notes on particular moments in the book she could potentially use as a starting point for her images.
Varvara said: 'It was a pleasant surprise for me, because I didn't expect to be shortlisted. I did my illustrations because Brave New World is one of my favourite novels and I admire The Folio Society books. So I just did what I like the way I like it. And I am very pleased that judges chose my work among lots of other exceptional illustrations.'
The judging panel comprised of broadcaster, curator, former Chairman of Arts Council England and House of Illustration trustee Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, writer and Lord Northcliffe Professor Emeritus at UCL John Sutherland, last year's competition winner Igor Karash, and Flora Craig from House of Illustration together with Folio's Production Director, Senior Editor and Art Director.
The successful alumna has worked with various magazines, fashion designers, galleries, and art and film festivals in Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Ireland. Varvara is now currently working on a project for ChildVision, an education centre for Blind Children in Ireland.