Illustration of “Evil”: Demons, Creatures and the Uncanny
Chapter from the book:
Altuntepe,
N.
&
Atasoy,
S.
N.
(eds.)
2024.
Illustration as Visual Communication.
Synopsis
Illustration, one of the most important design branches of the field of visual communication, is the visual expression of the elements that are desired to be conveyed verbally and the translation of words into pictures and drawings. It is possible to understand from the perception of reality created by the works that these illustrations, which are interpreted, strengthened or concerned with conveying a message, are an effort by the artist to create an aesthetic pleasure by using a certain style. In painting, it is clear that there is an effort to perceive reality as it is or to convey an element, an area or a situation that is thought to be as it should be, with subtlety and beauty. In addition to the good and the beautiful, which are conveyed with aesthetic pleasure, it is seen that with this technique, the events that are seen as evil, malevolent and malignant within the scope of belief practices are designed and presented to the viewer with the same idea. The deeper the illustration style created in conveying evil and the more it reflects the subject without detaching it from its essence, the more successful it is in conveying the emotion to the audience.
The illustrations presented under this heading, and examples of which are presented, are especially the expression of evil. In the design of a universe of contrasts, the extension of the illustration technique to monsters, demons and creatures is part of the natural flow. Illustrations based on texts and discourses reveal the images of deep imagination and unlimited creativity.