Five cultural picks from ARU's art and design department

Looking for inspiration? As artists, we often are. Here are the books, films, art and music that lit our creative spark.

In a digital world full of content and choice, discovering your own tastes can be a confusing and intimidating task. But fear not: Our BA (Hons) Illustration staff team are on hand to guide you with some of the artists, books, places, films and music that have inspired them in their artistic endeavours.

Artist

Margaret Kilgallen (1967-2001)
http://www.ratio3.org/artists/margaret-kilgallen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Kilgallen
An exceptionally talented artist who took her variety of passions (books, graffiti, banjo players, folk art to name a few) and created beautiful and unique work. I find her philosophy and work very inspiring.

Book

Adriaen Coenen’s Fish Book (1580)
http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/adriaen-coenens-fish-book-1580/
I’ve just discovered this illustrated marvel, which is available online to see. With tales of sea monsters and tattooed tuna fish, it is an 800-page book about all things fish related by a Dutch fisherman and fish auctioneer. He started it when he was 63, and it took him three years. It looks like a comic, and shows what can be achieved if you put your mind to it.

Music

I’m a Dreamer, by Josephine Foster (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM0rl2jKNcE
A wonderfully bizarre album by an American singer/songwriter who remains very true to herself. She used to sing at funerals, and I think I’d like her to sing at mine. She offers advice on how to keep your muse amused, if you have one.

Film

The Rebel (1961)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqK6X1aioo
A film featuring Tony Hancock, George Sanders and the inimitable Irene Handl. I love this film because it makes me laugh, is marvellously 60s, and pokes fun at all the nonsense surrounding fine art. Has great beatniks too.

Place

The National Art Library collection of artists’ books at the V&A
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/books-artists/
The National Art Library holds the largest collection of artists' books in the UK. The collection is international, housing books from the UK and the US, as well as boasting impressive holdings from Europe, Australia, Latin America, Japan and more.

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