Children's version of The Wizard of Oz receives an international illustration award
Book edited by Livraria Lello with illustrations by Gonçalo Viana distinguished at Communications Arts 2021
Gonçalo Viana's illustrations in the book The Wizard of Oz, published by Livraria Lello last November, were distinguished in the annual Communication Arts 2021 illustration competition. In this book, produced with children and youth in mind, the magic of OZ is presented through of very colorful and shiny geometric constructions. "This important distinction in the work carried out by Gonçalo Viana highlights the bet that Livraria Lello has been making in the Book, and in this particular case, in national artists", highlights the President of the Board of Director, Aurora Pedro Pinto.
In The Wizard of Oz, published by Livraria Lello as part of The Little Collection, Gonçalo Viana's illustrations stand out for the geometry of the shapes used, which create colorful patterns and arouse the curiosity to discover «hidden» elements in all characters: the lion, the tin man, and the scarecrow, as well as the Wizard himself. The scenarios are also iconic: the Emerald City and the Yellow Brick Road.
A work that won the jury of the annual Communication Arts 2021 illustration competition and that elected the illustrations of Gonçalo Viana in The Wizard of Oz among the winners. The originality and beauty of the work will thus be highlighted in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual, a publication featuring the best illustration works worldwide, carried out during the year 2020.
“We continue our mission to get the whole world to read and, therefore, we decided to edit the great classics of universal literature, with wonderful illustrations signed by national artists, thus bringing the youngest closer to these timeless stories. The well-deserved distinction of Gonçalo Viana in this prestigious contest is an example of the quality that we print in our editions”, welcomes Aurora Pedro Pinto.
The work illustrated by Gonçalo Viana is part of the children's collection The Little Collection, composed of classics from universal literature: Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Tom Sawyer, The Jungle Book, and The Wizard of Oz. The texts of the five books were adapted by the renowned children's author Adélia Carvalho and the unique illustrations are signed by Cátia Vidinhas, Evelina Oliveira, Gonçalo Viana, Sandra Sofia Santos, and Sérgio Condeço.
Gonçalo Viana was born in Lisbon, where he graduated in Architecture, but started his career as an illustrator in Macau. He lived a few years in London, working as an architect, without ever losing in view of the idea of becoming an illustrator, a career he started in 2002. Having already published in the main titles of the Portuguese press, his illustrations are also a frequent presence in publications including the prestigious The New York Times. His conceptual streak was recognized by the Society for News Design, the Creative Quarterly magazine, and the 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide collection of Lüerzer's Archive. In 2004, he won the Stuart Prize for best illustration and press cartoon. More recently, in 2020, he received a special mention at the Bologna Book Fair's Ragazzi Awards, in the Opera Prima category, and was included in The White Ravens catalog.
Communication Arts 2021 is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry, being awarded by a jury composed of designers, art directors, and illustrators from around the world, which annually selects the best illustrations, in different categories, from advertising to the press, passing, of course, through the books.
The jury included illustrators, art directors such as Miravel Fawcett, editorial designer of the English newspaper The Economist, Dian Holton, the well-known art director of AARP Media in Washington, or Nok Sangdee, creative director of VMLY & R in Chicago.
About the author
Gonçalo Viana was born in Lisbon, where he graduated in Architecture, but started his career as an illustrator in Macau. He lived a few years in London, working as an architect, without ever losing in view of the idea of becoming an illustrator, a career he started in 2002. Having already published in the main titles of the Portuguese press, his illustrations are also a frequent presence in publications including the prestigious The New York Times. His conceptual streak was recognized by the Society for News Design, the Creative Quarterly magazine, and the 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide collection of Lüerzer's Archive. In 2004, he won the Stuart Prize for best illustration and press cartoon. More recently, in 2020, he received a special mention at the Bologna Book Fair's Ragazzi Awards, in the Opera Prima category, and was included in The White Ravens catalog.
