Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand and the Margaret Mahy Estate are delighted to announce Alba Gil Celdran as the winner of the 2023 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize.
Now in its fifth year, the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize has established itself as one of the most successful illustration prizes in the country; with the previous winners all publishing with Hachette Aotearoa NZ. In addition, eight contracts have been signed by runners-up for 2024 Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand publications.
The judging panel said Celdran’s illustrations of Margaret Mahy’s children’s book Seventeen Kings and Forty-Two Elephants were mesmerising, and full of humour.
They also said the winner’s illustrations had a fantastic sense of movement. “Her clever use of the kings and the animals led us on a very exciting, very humorous and very vibrant adventure.”
Bridget Mahy, from the Margaret Mahy Estate, said there was so much to examine, including “The mix of jungle and tropical animals and then a sweetly inserted fantail to bring home a kiwi element.”
Fellow judge Ant Sang loved the way the characters invited you in to explore their world, saying that “the spread was so unique, carefully composed and so beautiful to look at.”
This year’s Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize winner, Alba Celdran, is an art teacher based in Tāmaki Makaurau, though she is originally from Barcelona. She has a Bachelor of Criminology but now pursues her passion of teaching art to children and adults.
She is inspired by jazz and is a swing dancer. “All of the kings’ dance moves in my illustrations are actual jazz dance moves.”
The winner of the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize wins $2000 plus a collection of books valued at $500. Each runner-up receives a collection of books valued at $250 and a 30-minute individual mentoring session with the Hachette representative on the judging panel.
Hachette received a record breaking number of expressions of interest to illustrate this year’s title Seventeen Kings and Forty-Two Elephants and were delighted to receive the highest ever number of submissions.
Bridget Mahy, from the Margaret Mahy Estate and one of the competition judges says of the 2023 submissions, “Overall, the art was stunning this year. There was so much diversity in translating Margaret’s words on to the page, but every single piece of art submitted was joyous to look at”
The winner of the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize 2023 was announced at 12 noon Thursday 24th August.
The Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize Shortlist 2023:
Alba Gil Celdran
Judges comment: “The illustrator used the shape of the whole image on her page so there was a sense of curve and flow. The placement of text was so purposeful, and her use of humour lovely. It was mesmerising.
Grant MacDonald
Judges comment: “What an atmospheric entry! I loved Grant’s illustration style and distinctive choice of colour palate. The sense of movement and travel through the spreads and pages was incredible”
Matthew Hock
Judges comment: “‘I loved the wonderful humour in the animals. It really brings life to the illustrations. I could look at it these illustrations all day and keep seeing more. It’s so vibrant and detailed”.
Previous Winners
The Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize was launched in 2019. You can see precious winning entries at https://www.themargaretmahyillustrationprize.co.nz/past-winners/
For more information on these books, visit www.themargaretmahyillustrationprize.co.nz/browse.
