Joseph could deliver impressive V&A hat-trick

Published: 30 April 2018 at 10:47

The Big City by Joseph Namara Hollis

Student aims to become third consecutive Anglia Ruskin winner of major award

Talented Joseph Namara Hollis is hoping to deliver an impressive hat-trick for Anglia Ruskin University after being shortlisted by the V&A for their 2018 Student Illustrator of the Year award.

Joseph, who is originally from Nottingham and now lives in Cambridge, could follow in the footsteps of former Anglia Ruskin students Kate Milner in 2016 and Beatriz Lostalé Seijo last year by winning the prestigious annual award, a cheque for £3,000 and the opportunity to see his work go on show at the world-famous London museum.

Shortlisted for his work called The Big City, Joseph, who will graduate from the MA Children’s Book Illustration course at Anglia Ruskin this autumn, said:


“The images are made from dip pen and ink combined with monoprint textures that are compiled digitally into three colour separations.

“This is a ‘landmark illustration’ for me. It marks the point where I discovered a working process that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. I wanted to have fun with this and I think that freedom has helped me to produce some of my best work.” 

Chris Owen, Head of the Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin, said:

“We wish Joseph the very best of luck for the awards ceremony. He has an exciting career ahead of him and it’s wonderful to see him being recognised by being shortlisted by the judges of the V&A awards.” 

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, 15 May, and the illustrations will go on show at the V&A from 16 May until 24 June. Further details are available at the V&A website https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/va-illustration-awards.