Friday, January 31, 2014

DUNEDIN ARTIST DAVID ELLIOT WINS STORYLINES MARGARET MAHY AWARD 2014



The Dunedin illustrator, writer and exhibiting artist David Elliot has been announced by the Storylines Children’s Literature Trust as the 2014 winner of its top award, the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal.

This award is given annually for lifetime achievement in the genre of children’s writing and illustration.

‘David Elliot’s contribution to New Zealand children’s books over nearly thirty years has been outstanding,’ says Storylines Trust chair, Libby Limbrick. ‘His work, ranging from fantasy with a darkly gothic edge to whimsical, is always distinctive, enjoyed by children and adults alike. He has also made a significant contribution to New Zealand children’s literature as a teacher, both in high schools and of adult courses.’

David Elliot is a graduate of the Christchurch College of Education, and holds a Fine Arts Diploma in Painting from the University of Canterbury. He worked for many years as an art teacher before turning to full-time illustration. He has published more than thirty books, illustrating both his own texts and stories by writers such as Margaret Mahy and Janet Frame, and for the acclaimed American Red Wall series.

In 2011 he was the first winner of the inaugural Mallinson Rendel Award for children's book illustrators, presented by The Arts Foundation of New Zealand.

He is a many-times winner of the New Zealand Post picture book awards, the Spectrum Print Design Book Awards, the Russell Clarke Award for illustration, and the Storylines Notable Book list. 

Previous winners of the Storylines Margaret Mahy Award include writers Joy Cowley, William Taylor, Maurice Gee, Kate de Goldi, David Hill and Fleur Beale, illustrators Lynley Dodd and Gavin Bishop, and leading children’s and young adult publishers Ann Mallinson and Barbara Larsen. 

The award will be presented at the annual Storylines Margaret Mahy Day in Auckland on Saturday 29 March, 2014.

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