“With my illustrations I aim to open up new magical worlds that help the viewer to escape reality for a brief moment. Therein I try to stimulate ones fantasy. My illustration style has been described as poetic, playful, full of fantasy and magical" Biography Djenné (Tilburg, 1995) graduated with honors from St. Joost School of Art & Design in 2017. In 2018 she was awarded at the BoekieBoekie Start Award, where she received both the 2nd prize and the audience award. In 2019 she debuted with 'The Beast with the Power of Ten Horses'by Lida Dijkstra, which was nominated for the Flemish audience award. This book was shortly followed by Djennés first picture book 'The Firebird (De vuurvogel)' a rettelling of the ballet by Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky, written by Bette Westera. Djenné was awarded a silver European Design award for her illustrations in The Firebird. I use a lot of different materials and techniques to come to textures and structures, which is later edit digitally. I do not aim for an already existing image in my head, but rather use coincidences and unexpected occurrences to come to surprising illustrations and powerful compositions. Shadow figures, silhouettes, paper art, fairy tales and myths are some of the sources that I use for inspiration. 2022 – Nominee – Woutertje Pieterse Prijs with Tut's Shadow (Schaduw van Toet) 2021 – Nominatie Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava with The Firebird (De vuurvogel) St. Joost School of Art & Design (with honor) 2013-2017
Process
ClientsAwards
2022 – Short list – Boon voor literatuur with Tut's Shadow (Schaduw van Toet)
2021 – Silver award – European Design Awards (Book & Editorial Illustration) met The Firebird (De vuurvogel)
2021 – Geselecteerd voor Driving Dutch Design, the well-known talent development program by ABN Amro, Bond Nederlandse Ontwerpers and Dutch Design Foundation
2020 - Nominee Kinder- en Jeugdjury Vlaanderen with The Beast with the Power
of Ten Horses (Het beest met de kracht van tien paarden)
2019 - Nominee Fiep Westendorp Stimuleringsprijs
2018 - Boekieboekie Startaward, audience award
2018 - Boekieboekie Startaward, 2nd prizeEducation
Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Gent, BE) 2015-2016
What others wrote about me: ‘I immediately recognized Djennés talent when I saw her fine illustrations. Together with Bette Westera we produced the picture book The Firebird (De vuurvogel). Djenné works independent, asks for feedback and processes it without losing track of her own style. She presents surprising results and unexpected perspectives and aims for the optimal final result. I would greatly recommend collaborating with Djenné, in fact, we are already working on our next project!' Jolijn Swager, director uitgeverij Volt "Extremely happy with your professional way of working. You stuck to the planning, processed feedback well and communicated clearly. I’ll definitely recommend you for future projects." Renate Reitler, art director Zwijsen "It was a pleasure to collaborate with Djenné, illustrator of my book ‘The Beast with The Power of Ten Horses (Het beest met de kracht van tien paarden)’. Not only because she has a lot of talent, but also because she was always prepared to walk an extra mile. She read, reread and comprehended every part of the manuscript, cooperated actively and delivered work of great quality. We will definitely hear a lot from her in the future." "Djenné is phenomenal. Not just as illustrator of children’s books. She illustrated my book 'Sheer Luck, Bad Luck (Dom geluk, vette pech)' about the sensitive subject of cancer with feeling. She captured emotions like doubt, comfort, grief and hope in poetic and modest illustrations. Beautifully done. Curious about my newest books, promotions, my illustrations in the media or exclusive previews of my projects? Subscribe to my newsletter (dutch):
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