Exploring the Difference between Art and Illustration: A Thoughtful Discussion

The discussion topic on 30th September 2024 was the difference between art and illustration.

Brian Burton had kindly raided his library for books and the internet for images as a starting point. A lively debate ensued. Thank you to Lloyd Allen and Emma Davies for submitting their reflections on the session in the pieces below.

This week’s meeting at Craven Arts was a real pleasure to be part of. I’m not sure how many members attended the meeting, but the room was full, and the atmosphere was, as usual, friendly and welcoming. The topic for discussion this week was ‘The difference between art and Illustration’. One of the group members brought in examples of beautiful illustrations contained within a variety of publications and as these circulated around the room open and friendly discussion ensued. What I value so much about these meetings is the opportunity they give to hear from such a broad spectrum of artists, every possible medium is represented from traditional painting to needlework and stone carving. Everyone in the room brought something valuable and unique to the discussion and although no clear answers were ever going to be arrived at, I left the meeting enriched by the experience. As a painter, my usual practice of working is solitary so having the opportunity to meet with other artists in a friendly and welcoming environment such as this group at Craven Arts is so enriching. Thank you, Craven Arts, for providing the space and support for this type of activity. Lloyd Allen

At the end of September, I popped along to the Monday morning meet-up. The focus was a discussion around the idea of ‘what is art?’ So, we kicked-off with the question ‘Is an illustrator an artist?’. Not meant in derogatory terms of course, but rather to explore ideas around definitions. Of course, this is a huge subject, so the conversation took many twists and turns, following relevant tangents and considering everything from a design on a Roses chocolate tin, to working to a brief in exchange for payment, to the pursuit of fine art for its own sake.

The conversation was one that stuck with me for the rest of the day. Whilst the semantics of definition was an interesting point, the group moved on to larger ideas – at the end with Brian talking about his experiences in Cathedrals with stained-glass windows. And really, this is the part that stuck with me at home – bugged me really, in terms of what qualifies as art and what makes something art? I had to re-find a quote I had half-remembered:

“When Abbot Suger had the first stained glass windows installed in his Basilica of Saint Denis near Paris, he justified his proceedings with the words ‘…that the material sense of man may be directed to that which is beyond matter.’ These windows were ‘flashing hieroglyphs’ intelligible to all. Their mystic splendour gave the faithful an experience of transcendence. This visual experience was a direct invitation to higher spirituality….” From: Itten – ‘Elements of Colour’

For me this is a key aspect of any definition for art – the relational aspect, the communicative aspect, the part that moves us. Because beyond the whys and whats and hows, you are simply left with having been moved by something – something that has been made, or whittled or painted or dyed. It is of course entirely subjective, but that it happens at all is quite magical to me. All of this from a Monday Morning Meet-up! Emma Davies