Graduate's Work Shortlisted in National Art Contest

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Kathryn Martin's work has been on display at an exhibition in London after being shortlisted in the Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize.

In addition, she had a piece on show at the Glyndebourne opera house, in Sussex, as part of its art competition, and has one at the Tokyo Keizai University in Japan after making the shortlist of a Shakespeare themed competition.

The 25-year-old, of Wimbledon, said: "It's really wonderful to see my work be recognised in these competitions, and to receive such positive feedback from people in the arts industry who I have looked up to for years.

"To know that I'm doing the right thing makes all the effort worthwhile. I'm really excited to see where my work will go next."

Kathryn achieved a First Class Honours degree in Illustration at the University of Worcester in 2013 then studied for a Master's in Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art, finishing in 2015.

Her entry, The Spirit of Vaslav Nijinsky, was in the running for the Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize 2016.

For this, Kathryn produced a four-page short story comic telling the story of the ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, which has been displayed at Orbital Comics, near Leicester Square.

Kathryn said: "People who have previously won or been shortlisted have also gone on to publish books, which is what I definitely hope to do in the near future, on the subject of Nijinsky's life.

"I'm currently trying to get a book idea off the ground, and I'm using these illustration and art competitions as a way of getting my work seen by people in the industry."

Kathryn's piece, Madama Butterfly, which was displayed at Glyndebourne, is an edited photograph of a 3D drawing piece, with the drawings standing up, reminiscent of a toy theatre.

She also has a four page comic depicting the opening scene from Macbeth featuring the three witches on display in Japan after it was shortlisted in the Elsinore Graphic Shakespeare Competition celebrating the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death.

Kathryn hopes to publish illustrated books in the future and work in theatre design.

Tobias Hickey, Senior Lecturer in Illustration, said: "Kathryn took full advantage of the freedom we encourage our students to explore whilst on the Illustration course, as well as the live briefs and competitions that we promote and engage with.

"She developed her drawing and communication skills to become an accomplished and flexible practitioner, able to sustain her experimental activities as well as respond to more commercial and commissioned briefs."

To see Kathryn's work log on to www.kathrynmaymartin.co.uk.

 

Kathryn Martin with her shortlisted work for the Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize on display in London " credit Camila Barboza Orbital Comics.

Kathryn Martin with her work titled "Madama Butterfly" at Glyndebourne - credit Sam Stephenson.