Marks wins Folio's Morpurgo illustration prize

The Folio Society and House of Illustration yesterday announced Alan Marks as the winner of a prize to illustrate a new edition of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse.

Marks, a freelance illustrator based in the UK, beat off competition from nearly 400 other artists.

Folio’s art director, Sheri Gee, said: “We all particularly liked the binding – very strong both graphically and in terms of narrative, across the back to the front over. As judges we were drawn to the binding again and again. The illustrations are very sensitively done, with wide appeal across the readership. Beautifully executed and well observed.”

Johanna Geary, editor of the new edition, added: “The illustrations perfectly reflect the tone of the novel, capturing the softer, intimate moments set against the landscape of war.”

Folio also shortlisted five other illustrators: Sishirprithvi Bommakanti (based in the US), Courtney Dyer (UK), Catherine Fearnley (UK), Agata Pankowska (UK) and D. G. Smith (US).

Marks’ commission is worth £5,000. His edition of War Horse will be released by The Folio Society in October.