Phillip Knight2009 / 2010

Personal project based on the fairytales of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen using recurring imagery and themes from Scandinavian folklore. The project was based on building narratives within a single image using only paper cutting.

The illustration opposite is contained within the shape of the toy castle which in the story is where the beautiful ballerina lives protected by the troll shown in the bottom half of the image. The troll is responsible for the tin soldier being eaten by the fish represented lower in the image and eventually for the fire which can be seen through the windows of the castle. The rats who watch and taunt the tin soldier during his journey are at the top of the image watching over what is happening.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

The Wild Swans

Second in a series of illustrations based on the fairytales of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The project was based on building narratives within a single image using only paper cutting.

The image shows three of the eleven princes after transitioning from swans, the forth prince disfigured with a swan wing remaining ( shown in the elipse on the bottom right). The swans and princes are surrounded by nettle leaves which in the story are knitted into shirts to allow the princes to be transfromed and the spell broken.

The Snow Queen

Final image in a series of illustrations based on the fairytales of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The project was based on building narratives within a single image using only paper cutting.

The illustration opposite refers to a number of moments in one of H.C. Andersen’s more lengthy tales. The top of the image tells the story of the evil mirror that distorts reality which is lifted into the heavens by the two trolls and has shattered raining down on the earth, parts of which are embedded in the eyes and hearts of the people causing them understand absolute and unachievable perfection as beauty. The illustration is surrounded by arches of roses which symbolise the opposite; the beauty of imperfection.

The bottom half shows our heroine, Gerda who summons angels to protect her from the Snow Queen’s ice monsters.

Visible Signs

Illustration for the second edition of David Crow’s book Visible Signs. The illustration was meant as a heading for Chapter 9: Open Work. The illustration is cut entirely from one piece of paper and photographed hung using monofilament.

Visible Signs

Proposal images and experiments meant as chapter titles for the second edition of David Crow’s book, Visible Signs. The original paper cuts would be hung against a white surface and a light shone through to allow the shadow to be seen in a photograph, the four shown opposite where as experiments as to the type of shadow which can be achieved from different patterns.

Visible Signs: proposal images

Proposal images for the second edition of David Crow’s book Visible Signs.

Shown opposite is a papercut illustration for Chapter 3: Reading the sign which refers to a transferance of meaning and messages embedded in our culture. Above is also a papercut illustration for Chapter 8: Junk and Culture which explains cycles of what is considered vulgar or old fashioned and what is accepted in our culture and the exploitation of the rules.

Daily Drawings

Studies produced every day for a month in a loose sketchbook.

Connection booklet

A series of illustrations based on song lyrics and the theme of connection. The illustrations create a 17 page booklet which was bound with magenta thread seen down the centre of each spread. The cover wraps entirely round the book leaving just the top and bottom edges exposed when shut. Some of the illustrations were printed on high gloss stickers applied to the matt pages of the book.

Connection booklet: Original drawings

Urban Outfitters, Liverpool

Papercut illustrations produced and displayed in the new Urban Outfitters store in Liverpool as part of an initiative by the company to introduce local illustrators in regional stores with a small gallery space. The artwork was shown behind the main cash desk on the ground floor (shown opposite bottom) before being moved to the mezzanine level where it is currently shown.

Urban Outfitters, Liverpool

Design of a small ticket used to introduce myself as an artist and to display a price list and contact details. The design was based on the branding of the store. Opposite are two of the images produced for the store.

Creative Council: Collaboration

Image produced to convey the theme of collaboration for a catalogue designed by Uniform studio in Liverpool. The image was meant as a chapter title for a book meant to advertise the newly founded Creative Council with the outlook that the image could be used in a differnt setting.

The image was cut from a single sheet of paper and photographed hung against a white surface. The structure of the spiral represents a ‘Rube Goldberg’ machine with elements collaborating with each other to ring the bell at the centre.

All the Trees of the Fields will Clap their Hands

Personal project working on a larger scale illustrating the jubilation of nature in the springtime. The image was inspired by a folk style song by Sufjan Stevens.

Phillip Knightphillipknight.co.uk

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