Wuon-Gean Ho wins the Batsford Prize for Illustration 2022 with Covid Tales video

Wuon-Gean Ho, CFPR Research Associate and PhD student, has won the Batsford Prize for Illustration with her Covid Tales video made during lockdown.

Covid Tales tells of the personal experiences of the author Wuon-Gean Ho becoming a researcher at the Centre for Print Research, UWE Bristol after a career as a vet, and then navigating remote-working and study during the pandemic. It is illustrated with dozens of linocut prints, showing the author adapting to the absurdity, humour and tragedy of the situation.

One of the judges, Eleanor Crow, said that the shortlist was strong. The panel was looking for pace and narrative, whether the illustrations were effective at scale or in detail, and whether they worked without words. The panel had watched the video twice, firstly with the sound turned off, and felt that the images in Covid Tales had a wonderful range of emotions.

Wuon-Gean reflects, “I’m so happy to be awarded recognition for this piece. The images were made for my father, who was trapped in a care home and couldn’t see his family in person. They were intended to make him laugh.”

Batsford Books was established in 1843. It has developed a reputation for publishing on diverse and eclectic topics including textile art; practical art and craft; architecture and design; heritage and chess. The prize includes a cash award and £500 worth of books.

Covid Tales by Wuon-Gean Ho from wuongean on Vimeo.

Read more about PhD student and researcher Wuon-Gean Ho.

Featured image: Lockdown Chop (2020) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 15 x 20 cm