This is the 15th collaboration between ROOTOTE and the magazine competition "The Choice" of "illustration," which has produced many popular illustrators and is said to be the gateway to becoming a professional.
Tote bags printed with the 37 works selected for 2023 will be on sale for a limited time from the dates and times listed below.
Sale period: June 1st 12:00 PM ~ July 24th 12:00 PM
Sales price: 3,850 yen (tax included)
2023 The Choice Award of the Year
2023 Judges: Shishiyamazaki (artist), Yuri Jonishi (art director/graphic designer), Isao Mitobe (book designer), JUN OSON (artist)
[Grand Prize] Author name / Mayuko
"4:00PM"
Artist's comment: My hobby is walking. I like strange things. I usually work as a barista in Tokyo, and I love coffee. If you have any illustration jobs or recommendations for cafes, please feel free to contact me!
Judge Shishiyamazaki's review: Maybe the reason I think it's "stylish" is because it doesn't actually have a style. At first glance it looks Japanese, but on closer inspection it's not so Japanese. The colors, the way the shadows are drawn, and the textures create a strangely international quality, and at the same time, I notice that it doesn't really feel time, time, or gender. I thought the thing on the plate was bacon, but it looks like it might have traces of sauce or something.
【Outstanding performance award】
Author name / Miri Kikawada
"No matter what they whisper in your ear, you just keep a cool head and bite into that bread with marmalade jam on it."
Artist's comment: "I play with colors as if I'm playing with words, loosening up the way we perceive things." I would be delighted if I could continue to create such works as if I were breathing, and add a little spice to the brilliance of human emotions.
Judging comment by Shishiyamazaki: These are paintings that seem to suggest that "a generous dose of enthusiasm" is possible. "I'm good at caricatures, so please be my model!" Portraits that look like they were drawn on the spot for fun, vast landscapes seen in dreams, simple picture diaries, and a blend of obsession... They wrap you up in a pleasant breeze, but they never let you go. There is a strangeness to them.
【Outstanding performance award】
Author name / Masatoshi Tabuchi
"bloom"
Artist's comment: I draw with a strong awareness that it will become a poster or book cover.
Judging comment by Shishiyamazaki: I don't know if the larger one is too large or the smaller one is too small. In contrast to the bold sense of scale, the freshness of the tones is outstanding. The large size of the painting itself also smartly brings out the contrast within the painting.
[Winners]
Artist name / OJIYU
"BUS=ROOM"
Artist's comment: "I like people because they are a mixture of darkness (fear) and light. It is an eternal motif. My illustrations are inspired by the nostalgic sensations that suddenly tighten in my chest in my daily life.
Judge JUN OSON's review: "I like the way the destruction is done. It feels like it's just barely retaining its concrete form. And yet it somehow has a modern feel to it.
[Winners]
Artist name / kimuchoco
"Bear"
Artist's comment: "Technology has evolved so much that we can now draw pictures using text. In this world of rapid change, I want to continue creating art while taking my drawing skills seriously.
Review by Yuri Jonishi: "A pale orange character with a body like an inflated rubber balloon is smiling emptily. This work is captivating with its ghostly and uncertain presence. Is it bright or dark, happy or sad? The complexity of this painting is hard to describe, and makes you want to keep looking at it."
[Winners]
Author name / Mayumi Kondo
"Forest Dance"
Artist's comment: Along with pursuing what I'm attracted to, I would also like to discover new scenery that arises from chemical reactions with people other than myself.
Mitobe Isao's review: "I felt that the fantastical world view, the beauty of the shape, and the technique were all perfect. I'm sorry that I don't know if you've already worked on book covers, but I think you'll be active not only in literary book covers but also in picture books and the like."
[Winners]
Author name / Kanako Tomono
"Sunday Morning"
Artist's comment: I am interested in the perspective that changes depending on the subject, and recently I have been creating illustrations that reflect this.
Judge Shishiyamazaki's comment: "Through this painting, we can learn that we are always in motion and are not definite "individuals." This frees us from all ties.
[Winners]
Author name / Manabeleo
"Aging Stem"
Artist's comment: I truly wish I could have a big cat and pet it so much that it gets annoying.
Judging comment by Shishiyamazaki: "The digitally produced distortion effect exists in an atmosphere created with an organic texture. It's as if it represents the way our physicality is unconsciously connected to digitally produced images. The character with vacant eyes seems to have given up on this state, but also to have accepted it, which makes the space even more intense."
[Winners]
Author name / Erika Mizukami
"in living"
Artist's comment: I create artwork that captures interesting everyday scenes and gives the impression of a story. I would like to continue creating illustrations that relate to everyday life.
JUN OSON's review: "The motif, composition, color, choice of art materials, deformation, and technique are all wonderful. There is nothing to complain about. In particular, the work "in living" shows great attention to detail in the way it is deformed. I get the impression that the artist has carefully thought out the work, without resorting to looseness.
List of winners (in alphabetical order)
R62, Ayako Akai, Yasuyuki Aratani, Akira Ikeda, VVIN, a, Ai Okino, Tomoka Orie, kigimura, Kimurato, Kyoko Komoda, Hina Kobayashi, satsuki, Satomi Shikano, Takahiro Shimada, June Izawa, Akemi Shin, SEIICHI, den, Nao, Erina Nitta, nemuro, Hisako, Miyuki Matsuoka, Erika Miyashita, Hiroyuki Takezo, Tomo Morimoto, Mako Yonezawa
About "illustration" "The Choice"
The magazine "illustration" is a specialized magazine founded in 1979. Aimed at professional illustrators, those aspiring to become professionals, and those who use illustrations, it introduces the works of popular illustrators, technique courses, digital information, and more. In addition, the magazine's open call for submissions "The Choice", which is held every issue, is a competition that has produced many popular illustrators such as Katsuhiko Hibino, Hideyasu Moto, Toshiyuki Fukuda, Kuniko Nagasaki, and Machiko Miroko (titles omitted), and is always attracting attention from creators. A total of 40 winners are selected throughout the year, and four judges meet together to vote and decide the winners in order of points. What kind of works did the 2023 judges, Shishiyamazaki (artist), Yuri Jonishi (art director/graphic designer), Isao Mitobe (book designer), and JUN OSON (artist), choose in their respective judging sessions? Please keep an eye out.
Organized by: Illustration | Genkosha
HP: https://illustration-mag.jp/
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