Longlist for Folio Book Illustration Award 2023 revealed

The Folio Book Illustration Award longlist has been revealed featuring artists’ interpretations inspired of Ursula K Le Guin’s short story “The Fliers of Gy”. 

The 20 images were chosen from over 730 entries across 58 countries and will be exhibited at Bradford Literature Festival, from 23rd June to 2nd July.  

The prize is open to illustrators, student or professional, who have not previously been commissioned by The Folio Society, with the aim of finding, platforming and supporting new illustration talent from around the world. 

Two of this year’s longlisted illustrators — Merran Coleman and Camille Whitcher — were also longlisted in last year’s awards. 

Also nominated are: Tommy Barclay, Cristina Bencina, Natalia Chirkowska, Esther Cuesta de la Mata, Francesca D’Ottavi, Adam Martin, Tamara Martynova, Den Owen, Bryan Perez, Abigail Platter, Bruna Poetini, David Rendo, Ben Strawn, Maria Surducan, Nate Sweitzer, Mariella Villalobos, Jens Maria Weber and Olga Wieszczyk.

Entrants were asked to illustrate a single scene of their choice from Le Guin’s “The Fliers of Gy”, which features a society of feathered people among whom a select few grow wings.  

The longlist has been selected by The Folio Society’s art directors Sheri Gee and Raquel Leis Allion.  

Gee said: “There was a really high calibre of illustration that made judging the longlist a very difficult task. We loved so many of the depictions, so beautifully drawn and crafted. I know how hard it was to get from 733 to 20, I’m really looking forward to what discussion will come out of deciding the runners-up and winner.”  

The winner and five runners-up, chosen by a judging panel including Theo Downs-Le Guin, Le Guin’s son and literary executor, will be announced on 30th June. 

He said: “I’m delighted to be involved in selecting a recipient for this year’s Folio Book Illustration Award. Like much of my mother’s writing, ‘The Flyers of Gy’ offers rich opportunity for visual imagination. I can’t wait to see how the entrants respond.”  

Also joining the judges to select the runners-up and winner is Tom Walker, The Folio Society publishing director, and Evangeline Gallagher, winner of the inaugural Folio Book Illustration Award for their illustration of a scene from Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Masque of the Red Death”.  

Evangeline has since gone on to work on illustrations for clients including Peachtree Publishing, Possum Creek Games, and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. 

The winner will receive a £2,000 cash prize plus a £500 Folio Gift Voucher. Five runners-up will receive a £500 Folio Gift Voucher.