From imagination to imagination (22.9-15.10.2022)
In this 11th edition of Kolibrí Festivaali, the special invited artist is Mexican illustrator Juan Palomino. Palomino is also the artist behind the creation of the image promoting this year’s edition of the multicultural art festival for children and their families.
During Kolibrí Festivaali 2022 (22.9-1.10), Juan’s amazing talent will be showcased through workshops for children and their families and a seminar for professional artists, students and educators, facilitated by him and the renowned Mexican writer Ana Paula Ojeda, co-author of many of his latest books.
Juan Palomino has been illustrating books for children and youth since 2008, working with publishing houses in Mexico and Spain. His books have been showcased by, among others, Fundación Cuatro Gatos (USA), The White Ravens Selection from the Internationale Jugendbibliothek in Munich (Germany), The Honor List from IBBY (Switzerland), Best Books from the New York Public Library (USA) and the Junior Library Guild Selection (USA).
Juan has received several prestigious awards, such as the Bologna Children’s Book Fair International Prize for Illustration in 2016, the Antonio García Cubas Award (INAH – Mexico) in 2019, the Golden Apple from the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava in 2021 and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Ragazzi Award for “Cajita de Fósforos”, with Adolfo Cordova, also in 2021. Juan’s illustrations have been featured in several exhibitions in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Palomino studied philosophy and illustration at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and was also one of the coordinators of a diploma program in illustration at UNAM.
According to him, the key to his success is his commitment to continuous learning, with the aim of inspiring fascination and curiosity in his readers. His interest in illustration happened by chance, but allowed him to discover the amazing potential of illustration in enriching the experience of readers. His images feel very poetic and full of symbolism, lately focusing often on such themes as the ancient pre-Hispanic mythologies.
According to the Jury of the famous Ragazzi Awards 2021 of the Bologna Children’s book Fair: “Juan Palomino’s astonishing plates complete and expand the lines at the same time, while the images, rich in color and dramatic expressiveness, leave ample room for the active imagination of the readers.”
The exhibition will showcase the artist’s latest work in illustration for children’s literature, as well as samples of his sketch books. Visitors will thus be treated to an excellent opportunity to “spy” on his creative process and to delve into the artist’s search for the perfect image. In addition, some of Palomino’s latest books will be available for viewing.
Prints of the artwork featured in the exhibition can be purchased at the webstore of Ninho Kulttuurikeskus ry.
The purchases will support the work of our association. (www.ninho.fi)
Juan Palomino’s participation in Kolibrí Festivaali and the creation of this exhibition would not be possible without the cooperation of TAIKE, SKF, the Embassy of Mexico in Finland, Lastenkulttuurikeskus Pessi (Vantaa), the city of Vantaa, the city of Helsinki and Instituto Ibero-Americano de Finlandia.
The exhibition will be held at Lastenkulttuurikeskus Pessi, from September 22th to October 15th, 2022. Mon-Fri 10-16. Free entry.
Lastenkulttuurikeskus Pessi, Vernissakatu 4, 01300 Vantaa (Finland)