Peter Kuper on Franz Kafka

Here are two of artist Peter Kuper's graphic novels that illustrate some of the works of Franz Kafka (renowned Czech author ). The fist one give it up is a collection of illustrated short stories and the second one an illustrated version of Kafka's The Metamorphosis. These are in here because I like their lino-cut-esk style (I don't actually know if these are prints or drawings). I think its his use of positive/ negative space and light that make these illustrations so striking.

 

Tom Gauld the Gigantic Robot

We had Tom Gauld come into the university as a visiting practitioner a couple of weeks ago and I found this story in particular to be of interest. The way Tom talks about this book and his approach to humorous/tragic illustrations in a really open way is really inspiring. The Gigantic robot is about a robot who is built as a secret weapon but never used. Tom's stark image and stripped down style work well to tell this wonderfully sad story. His commercial 'style' seems to be the result of experimenting with quirky and simplistic imagery, I like this book more than some of Tom's other works- perhaps because his humor and style lend itself to this story well.