Clive Hicks-Jenkins illustrates a special edition of Emily Wilson's translations of Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey, drawing inspiration from his home in Monmouthshire, Wales. Known for his subtle illustrations that enhance ancient tales, he views text as essential. His art avoids distracting the reader, maintaining a cohesive color palette. Technical limitations, such as those from letterpress in Seamus Heaney's Beowulf edition, shape his artwork, highlighting a unique linear style that resonates with the poem's storytelling roots.
Hicks-Jenkins emphasizes that text is everything, especially for Wilson's translation, which is significant as it is a woman's academic translation imbued with poetic depth.
The illustrations are meant to serve as breaths within the text, using a consistent palette to minimize disruption and maintain the reader’s focus.
Technical restrictions such as letterpress influence the nature of the illustrations, requiring hard-edged images without tonalities, leading to a distinct linear aesthetic.
Hicks-Jenkins's work often responds to ancient stories with a sensitivity that connects the text's origins to contemporary interpretations.
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