The Fisherman and The Spring
Photographer: Mohamad Mehdi Zaboli
Illustrator: Nazanin Abbasi
Author: Mojgan kalhor
Publisher: kanoonparvaresh
A fisherman, weary of winter, sets out in his boat, hoping to find spring. He battles the cold and lack of sleep, enduring the hardships of the journey. In the end, he spots narrow rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds. Filled with joy, he returns to shore to discover the trees have all sprouted buds. Spring has just arrived.
Techniques Used:
This book was my Master’s degree project in illustration. During the research and study process, I became deeply interested in mixed media works, collage, and creating with various materials. I envisioned a unique idea for making a picture book that would stand out from traditional paintings, while still having a solid foundation in technique and execution.
I encountered the idea of using discarded objects, a technique that many artists throughout art history have embraced to create precious works. So, I chose to work with discarded items and metal parts, attempting to build the characters based on the story’s plot using these materials. I also incorporated other materials like wood, soil, paper, and prints. In the end, the book’s images were staged like detailed stop-motion scenes and were captured with the help of professional photography and lighting.