A door to the unknown: crossing boundaries through picturebook art Cover Image

A door to the unknown: crossing boundaries through picturebook art
A door to the unknown: crossing boundaries through picturebook art

Author(s): Katarzyna Smyczyńska
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Visual Arts, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Preschool education, Sociology of Culture, Sociology of Art
Published by: Polskie Towarzystwo Pedagogiczne
Keywords: artistic imagination; encounter; ethically engaged narratives; hospitality; otherness;

Summary/Abstract: This paper engages with the question of the ethical implications of, and artistic imagination in picture books. The analysis relies on two visual narratives confronting the theme of cultural difference. The juxtaposition of the two books that share the themes of visiting and hosting, of confronting otherness, and of cultural prejudice indicates differences in their narrative and artistic potential. The analysis of formal strategies in Jemmy Button by Jennifer Uman and Valerio Vidali and in Eric by Shaun Tan serves to point out the role of artistic imagination and narrative wisdom in creating visual literature.

  • Issue Year: XII/2016
  • Issue No: 3 (34)
  • Page Range: 69-83
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: English