This weeks 'spot of reading' is Hubert by Ben Gijsemans. I was immediately drawn to it due to the muted colour scheme, a calming palette of pale earthy colours which help instil a gentle silence, mirroring the shy nature of the main character.
We follow a lonely man, who's main interest is visiting art galleries, taking in the magnificence of the paintings, photographing them and then returning home to try and replicate them for his own pleasure. He never really talks to anyone, and really only talks about art when he does. He's awkward around others and tries to avoid his flirty neighbour.
The art throughout is incredibly beautiful, and I really love the images depicting the fine art which are full of rich detail. For a man of few words the emotions written across Hubert's face tell the whole story effortlessly. I love the quiet moments spent with him through the frames just watching him paint.
This is a story that tugs at your heartstrings and pretty interesting to see a graphic novel set mainly in a museum/art gallery. Working in one myself it makes you think about the visitors that pass through the doors who's lives could tell their own similar stories.
Ben Gijsemans was born in Belgium and had followed his love of art, starting with evening classes at the Hagelandse Academie door Schone Kusten and continued on to study animation and film at KASK in Gent. He then went on to complete a bachelors degree, a masters degree and then another masters in illustration & comic strips at Sint-Lukas in Brussels. Hubert is such an outstanding achievement and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.
You can check out Ben Gijsemans portfolio at www.bengijsemans.com
.
No comments:
Post a Comment