"The Virago Book Of Fairy Tales", edited by Angela Carter, illustrations by Corinna Sargood (publ. by Virago Press Ltd, London 1991) Part 3

 

I tried to scan some of the head lettering at the start of each story - I just love the way she incorporates a little narrative from the story into the typeface! Also a couple more  bizarre and funny spot illustrations.

Finally, here's Corinna Sargood herself on a youtube video, describing one of her recent pictures! It's fascinating to watch, as she unravels details of more and more scenes within the main picture (some of them painted on separate panels attached to it!) while telling the stories behind them...   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPMUbGjVu64

 

 

 

 

 

"The Virago Book Of Fairy Tales", edited by Angela Carter, illustrations by Corinna Sargood (publ. by Virago Press Ltd, London 1991) Part 2

 

 Corinna Sargood's work has been my inspiration ever since I saw it some twenty years ago. It's got mystery, humour, it's subversive, intelligent and, despite having some folkloric references, it is quite unique! The figures that remind me of shadow puppet theatre figurines submerge into surreal landscapes, turn into strange animals or birds and are always mischievous.

Sargood (born in Britain in 1941) went on to illustrate Angela Carter's Second Virago Book Of Fairy Tales, published in 1992. I've posted pictures from that book about four years ago - here's the link: http://picturesfromanoldbook.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/second-virago-book-of-fairy-tales.html

 

 

"The Virago Book Of Fairy Tales", edited by Angela Carter, illustrations by Corinna Sargood (publ. by Virago Press Ltd, London 1991)

 

 

"Comic Curious Cats", pictures by Martin Leman, words by Angela Carter (published by Victor Gollancz Ltd, London 1979)

I was really pleased to see that this artist is still working and has a website: http://www.martinleman.co.uk/

Martin Leman (born in London 1934) is still producing these intriguing, mysterious and beautiful pictures of cats and other things. Some originals and etchings are available from his website. The verses by Angela Carter are very amusing and mischievous enhancing the atmosphere of the pictures.

"The Second Virago Book Of Fairy Tales", edited by Angela Carter, illustrations by Corinna Sargood (published by Virago Press Ltd, London 1992)

I bought this book in the early nineties and it's been an inspiration ever since. The stories are great but the illustrations are so rich and magical. Corinna Sargood's take on these subversive and - sometimes - disturbing tales is really superb. There's so much to discover in these pictures that they still seem new to me after all these years.

There isn't much information available on this brilliant artist (born in Britain, 1941). There is mention on the jacket sleeve that she was one of Angela Carter's oldest friends and that these illustrations were done while she lived in in Mexico but that's about it. These lino cuts have appeared in exhibitions this year in the UK - which, typically, I missed!