Research
Professor Janet Woolley
MA Illustration Course Leader
Research Interests
Illustration
Peer Esteem
Janet Woolley is a patron of the Association of Illustration and a member of the Society of Illustration, NY. Professor of Illustration at the University of The Arts, London, and external examiner at Liverpool College of Art; guest lectures include Leicester College of Art, Brighton University, Hereford College of Art, and Graphill Norske, Oslo.Professional recognition includes Berger Painting Award 1st Prize (RCA, 1976), Benson and Hedges Illustration Gold First Prize (1983/85), Society of Illustrators Gold Medal for Illustration (1989), University of Kansas Silver Award for Illustration (1990), Society of Illustrators Silver Medal for Advertising Illustration (1990), Society of Newspapers New York Silver Awards (1992), D&AD Silver Award for Illustration in Advertising (1994), International Advertising Festival Cannes Bronze Award for Poster Design (1995), Creative Circle Award for Advertising (1995), Society of Illustrators Los Angeles (1998), and the ADIT Award of Distinction - Creativity 31 (2002).
Profile
Janet Woolley is an award-winning illustrator who has worked for numerous publications worldwide. She studied Art & Design at Brighton College of Art (1970-73), and graduated from the the Royal College of Art, London in 1976. After exhibiting for several years after graduation, including at the Royal Academy and taking part in the European Illustration Exhibition, Woolley's work changed direction in 1990 when she started experimenting in montage and introducing elements of photography in her illustrations. She was amongst the first artists to use photographic imagery in her medium, and her practise was instrumental in promoting the artform to reach the wide level of acceptance it holds today.In 2000, Woolley switched from photomontage executed by hand to working digitally. Rich in detail and visual narrative, her artworks are multi-layered, often fusing dark and intense moods with humourous elements and a sense of playfulness.
A freelance illustrator for over 28 years, Wolley has taught in higher education since 1986. Her work has been shown in numerous international exhibitions, including The United Nations, NY, The Museum of American Illustration, Rhode Island and The Royal Academy, London. Well-known for her work as long term contributor to BBC's Radio Times magazine, Woolley is regularly commissioned in the UK and USA in the areas of editorial and advertising illustration; notable past clients have included MTV, BBC, Illustrated London News, Sunday Telegraph, Ogilvy and Mather, Bloomberg Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Fitch and Fitch, Walt Disney (The Art Of Mickey Mouse), Rolling Stone Magazine, Elle Magazine, Walker Books, Penguin USA, Guardian, Observer, and the Sunday Times.
Following the events of 9/11, Woolley was invited to partake in 'Prevailing the Human Spirit', a memorial exhibition organised by the Society of Illustrators and the Museum of American Illustration (2002). The exhibition was held at the United Nations building in New York, and included leading illustrators and graphic artists from around the world. She has recently won the Gold award for Promotional Art by the Association of Illustration, UK (2006).
Current Research
Recent projects include a commission for Playboy magazine, a part-painted and part-collaged image to illustrate the degeneration of the city of Detroit; Communication Arts, New York - a panel judged illustration book (2005-06); a public poster exhibit for 'Earthday Canada' environmental project in Toronto, Canada (2006); as well as a cover illustration for an UCL Los Angeles University Publication (2006) and and a series of illustrations for UCLA Medical Research into Diabetes.
She is currently working on ideas for murals at the Royal Institution, London.
Research Ouputs
Recent Exhibitions
2005 'Images', Mall Gallery, London
2003 'A Historical Look', The Museum of York County, North Carolina
2003 'Urbanities', Camberwell College of Arts, London and Stackhouse Gallery, New York
2002 'Prevailing the Human Spirit', Society of Illustrators, NY and United Nations, NY
2001 'Images', Association of Illustrators, London
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