The World Illustration Awards is a competition for illustrators at the top of their game, covering eight categories of illustration including advertising, children’s books, design, editorial and experimental. It’s a prestigious and well respected award and an amazing platform for the shortlisted artists and category winners.

The free exhibition is currently showing at the Embankment Galleries of Somerset House and runs till 28th July. Its a beautiful showcase for the work of the shortlisted and winning illustrators with a lot to see that is unexpected and thought provoking, such as Nvard Yerkanyan‘s beautiful depictions of Soviet brutalist architecture.

The children’s book area is my favourite (obviously), and I found some wonderful new artists to follow, such as Laurie Stansfield, whose entry was a portfolio piece called ‘Knowing how to have fun, that’s the trick’. I found her work incredibly fresh, appealing and beautiful. If you are an illustrator or creative, or just love art, I highly recommend going along.

Please take a look at my Instagram page and ‘inspiration’ highlights for videos of the exhibition, and see the Association of Illustrators site for lots more information https://theaoi.com/world-illustration-awards. My portfolio of children’s book illustration is here.