The Swedish doctor Pelle Törnqvist asked me to illustrate the cover of his medical thesis at the University of Lund in Sweden. He is a surgeon specialized in artery operations and his thesis covers a new way of operating the aorta.
Pelle considers his new delicate procedure requires more of an artistic approach when holding the aorta and stents in place during surgery. It requires a holistic view on the heart and wishes to suggest rather than show. An illustration was therefore considered more suitable than a photograph which can in this case have a somewhat brutal effect and doesn’t provide the same level of detailed transparency. Furthermore it makes it possible to soften sometimes heavy or sensitive subjects and hence widen the group of stakeholders to communicate with.
Out of its bloody and visceral context, I considered this aorta as a flower with a long stem. I have mixed techniques such as watercolor and ink where fluids mix and evoke the interior of our body. These warm shades are counterbalanced by a background of cold and dark color like that of an x-ray. My interpretation attempts to offer a different and unexpected angle to this thesis dealing with a very serious subject, all whilst delivering a clear message.
Latin Poetry
Anders Arfwedson is a latin lover who studied latin for more than 10 years and when he decided in 2015 to publish a collection in latin poetry ha had been working on, he asked me to layout the book and its cover and illustrate some of his poems.
The title Pennae In Undas means : Quills in the water
The most significant drawing is about the story of Europa and Taurus, inspired by Ovidius poetry/Methamorphosis and which also inspired Carl Mille who created a sculpture with the same name.
Biography
Christopher Vanier, who retired some years ago, wrote about his childhood in St Kitts in the carribeans. He asked me to illustrate and layout the cover of his book.
I mixed his photographies with my own interpretation, creating personal illustrations with watercolor, pencils mixed with Photoshop.
I focused on rendering the heat and the warm atmosphere of the carribeans, combined with his childhood memories while trying to picture how it was to grow up there.
