STRONG & SEEN – A
QUICK CHAT WITH CHANTE TIMOTHY
ILLUSTRATOR, CHANTE TIMOTHY, SHARES HER FAVOURITE PROJECTS & THOUGHTS ON BLACK REPRESENTATION IN THE INDUSTRY
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words by Olivia Kellerman
“Eye-catching colours, simplistic but confident linework”, is how Chante describes her colourful and brightwork. Believing that all aspects of life should be represented, Chante’s combination of traditional linework and digital software has created a vibrant catalogue of work. She has spread her colourful work over books, newspapers and campaigns, sending messages to inspire young black illustrators.
Earlier this year, Chante illustrated the book ‘A Black Woman Did That!’, written by Malaika Adero, which celebrates 40 boundary-breaking, bar-raising and world-changing women of colour. Chante’s quirky illustrations brought the book to life helping showcase amazing black women and their talents.
Here we asked Chante about the inspiration behind her work and the representation of POC’s in the illustration industry.
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Earlier this year, Chante illustrated the book ‘A Black Woman Did That!’, written by Malaika Adero, which celebrates 40 boundary-breaking, bar-raising and world-changing women of colour. Chante’s quirky illustrations brought the book to life helping showcase amazing black women and their talents.
Here we asked Chante about the inspiration behind her work and the representation of POC’s in the illustration industry.
How would you describe your work and style?
C:
I’d say my work could be descrided as a mix of eye-catching colours, simplistic but confident line work My style often changes and bounces between cute and simple and verging on realistic dependant on the subject matter.
What is your aim when creating your work and what inspires it?
C:
I don’t have an aim while drawing for myself, I do try to represent as many cultures as possible in my work as a I believe representation is important and moving away from stereotypes is the main goal.
Who are your favourite artists/illustrators and why?
C:
I’m inspired by the likes of Malorie Blackman, Andrea Pippins, Andy J Pizza, Michelle Obama, Franner, Andre 3000 (Outkast), Anderson Paak, and Lizzo because of their combined message of strength, acceptance of differences and loving one’s true self.
What has been your favourite project/piece to work on and why?
C:
A Black Woman Did That has been my favourite project so far as Iearnt so much about these different women and my favourite piece in the whole project is the Alice Coltrane portrait I created. I was commissioned by a New York publisher called Downtown Book Works, I was given a list of 41 fantastic women to draw with the help of the fantastic Art Director Georgia Rucker.
How do you feel that your culture and identity has informed your art?
C:
I think my culture made me want to draw more people of colour because I never saw much diversity in images I was seeing in animations and books while growing up.
How do you think the creative industry can support more POC creatives?
C:
With the rise in interest in diversity, this is a perfect time to be a person of colour I believe the industry leaders already trying to support POC, with BAME projects like Pathways into children’s publishing by House of Illustration and Pop -up as an example, but I believe it should also come from the community as a whole shouting out each others work and facebook groups, such as the Black British Illustrators Network.
What do you think it means to be Black and British living in today’s society?
C:
Strong. Seen. Trend-Setting and Collaborative.
What projects are you working on at the moment that you’re excited about?
C:
I have a few small projects that I’m planning to hopefully release this year, I can’t say just yet but watch this space.
C:
I’d say my work could be descrided as a mix of eye-catching colours, simplistic but confident line work My style often changes and bounces between cute and simple and verging on realistic dependant on the subject matter.
What is your aim when creating your work and what inspires it?
C:
I don’t have an aim while drawing for myself, I do try to represent as many cultures as possible in my work as a I believe representation is important and moving away from stereotypes is the main goal.
Who are your favourite artists/illustrators and why?
C:
I’m inspired by the likes of Malorie Blackman, Andrea Pippins, Andy J Pizza, Michelle Obama, Franner, Andre 3000 (Outkast), Anderson Paak, and Lizzo because of their combined message of strength, acceptance of differences and loving one’s true self.
What has been your favourite project/piece to work on and why?
C:
A Black Woman Did That has been my favourite project so far as Iearnt so much about these different women and my favourite piece in the whole project is the Alice Coltrane portrait I created. I was commissioned by a New York publisher called Downtown Book Works, I was given a list of 41 fantastic women to draw with the help of the fantastic Art Director Georgia Rucker.
How do you feel that your culture and identity has informed your art?
C:
I think my culture made me want to draw more people of colour because I never saw much diversity in images I was seeing in animations and books while growing up.
How do you think the creative industry can support more POC creatives?
C:
With the rise in interest in diversity, this is a perfect time to be a person of colour I believe the industry leaders already trying to support POC, with BAME projects like Pathways into children’s publishing by House of Illustration and Pop -up as an example, but I believe it should also come from the community as a whole shouting out each others work and facebook groups, such as the Black British Illustrators Network.
What do you think it means to be Black and British living in today’s society?
C:
Strong. Seen. Trend-Setting and Collaborative.
What projects are you working on at the moment that you’re excited about?
C:
I have a few small projects that I’m planning to hopefully release this year, I can’t say just yet but watch this space.