‘My illustrations become piece by piece a whole story’
By Simone Vos
The newest Wobby #32 – Cozy Cosmos includes the work of two recently graduated and international artists: Arthur Devisscher (BE) and Rania Esstafa (FR). They were selected from the Open Call for Graduates 2022 and made completely new work for this edition of Wobby. “I liked the idea of picturing a vast, deep cosmos with soft creatures that beautifully sleep in the environment. I want to create illustrations in that kind of atmosphere”, says Rania Esstafa, illustrator and animator.
“The illustrations I make are mostly inspired by a meditative state of mind, daydreams, and images about spirituality. The theme ‘Cozy Cosmos’ was a very nice theme to work with, because I already feel inspired by elements of nature and softness, and I combine surrealism and sensuality”, Rania explains. She graduated this year in communication and design from École NationaleSupérieure d’Art et Design de Nancy.
Arthur Devisscher also graduated this year, having studied illustration at LUCA School of Arts Ghent. “I don’t really think about the things I want to draw; I just start drawing. When I heard that I had been selected for the Open Call, I was very excited but also a bit stressed. I was preparing for a long trip, and it was a bit hectic. So, I sat down and started to draw to calm myself down. The elements I drew in that moment were the beginning of my illustration for Wobby #32”, says Devissscher.
“On the road I drew a lot and bit by bit it became a complete illustration. I drew some guys, then a stage and in the end there was a whole story on my paper”, says Arthur. “I started on the left side of my paper, and I had no idea yet what would happen on the right side of the drawing.”
Spread by Arthur Devisscher for Wobby #32
For Rania it is usually very clear what she wants to draw. “Both in my own work and in commissions, mindfulness and images of subconsciousness are very inspiring. I like to combine the meditative state and the reminder of being a human being in my work. I would love to combine my work as an illustrator with animation. Combining music and illustrations is a great way to express myself. I had already designed a cassette for Mappa; I illustrated the sound of the sea for them.”
The work of Arthur is more figurative and features small elements, like birds or small human beings. “I draw every day and I really want to keep doing this and make my living out of it” he says. “Before I went to LUCA I studied psychology, but I always liked drawing more. I think it helped that I had already done a degree, because I’m a bit older and I learned how to deal with criticism. My biggest dream is to have great solo-exhibitions and to have a big gallery that I can fill with my own work.”
About the Open Call
In September 2021, Wobby launched the first ‘Open Call for Graduates’ for artists that graduated in the years 2020 & 2021. This year, in 2022, the second Open Call was launched. There were 156 applicants from all over the world, including Colombia, China, France, Egypt, Italy, US, the Netherlands and Germany.
Wobby #32 – Cozy Cosmos is available here