Lunchtime Lecture: Dangerous Drawings and the Power of Illustration

Alan Male is Emeritus Professor of Illustration from Falmouth University, an accomplished author of books on illustration and an award-winning international illustrator. In this lecture he discusses how the best illustration doesn’t just visualise history – it shapes it! It is the potency and originality of its messages that defines its true reason for being. By presenting celebrated and dissolute case studies from the past and present, Professor Male reveals the true essence of messages imbued in the art of illustration when ethics and moral responsibility are often deliberately disregarded. Illustration is used to shock, lampoon, insult, threaten, subvert, ridicule, express discontentment and proclaim political or religious allegiance; it stirs up disagreeable reactions; it incites worship and celebration; will be satirical and entertaining; be unashamedly persuasive and ‘hard selling’ and present fictional story narratives that some people might balk at. The essence of this talk is based on Alan’s latest book: The Power and Influence of Illustration (Bloomsbury). Please note: this presentation contains challenging adult themes.

Visit our SoundCloud channel to listen to past Lunchtime Lectures: soundcloud.com/vamuseum/sets/v-a-lunchtime-lecture-series