Fantasy artists
Paul Tobin, White Wyrm, 2007. Courtesy of Paul Tobin & Galerie Daniel Maghen, L’univers des Dragons, Tomes
Following the global popularity of The Lord of the Rings and the associated Weta, something that was once an ostracised pastime on fringes of society, is now becoming mainstream.
“It’s bizarre to think that we were sitting at the back of a math class drawing dragons in the back of our books at school, and now 20 years later we’re getting paid to do that work,” laughs Paul Tobin, creator of a new book and exhibition called White Cloud Worlds.
The book features the work of 27 science fiction and fantasy illustrators born or living in New Zealand.
“The film industry here has drawn people in. Wellington especially has become a hot spot. People are realizing you can make a living in this sort of artwork.”
Many of Tobin’s featured artists make their livings as freelancers, illustrating book covers or doing work for the computer game, board game and trading card industries. About half are past or present Weta employees.
Tobin seems thankful to have been given the chance to exhibit these works in a traditional space.
“What we’re trying to do with the exhibition is break down some of those boundaries between what is illustration and what is fine art. There’s a great demand for this work in popular culture but that’s not often reflected in galleries.”
White Cloud Worlds, TheNewDowse, December 11-March 13.
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