Max Scratchmann

Max Scratchmann is a British illustrator and author.

He was born in Calcutta, India, to Scottish parents in 1956 and is the author of the autobiographical book, The Last Burrah Sahibs [1] - "Scratchmann tells his story and introduces his characters with the easy style of a practiced humorist" The Scots Magazine

He studied English Literature at the University of Strathclyde[2] but preferred art and began illustrating professionally in the late seventies working as a cartoonist and comic artist but his career took off when he developed a collage style in the 1980s. His editorial work has appeared in magazines and newspapers in the UK, US and Japan including The Guardian, The Big Issue and City Life.

Scratchmann is known for the 'operatic' quality of his images and has created numerous posters for theatre companies, including The Coliseum[3] and Scottish Opera,[4] and in 1996 he was commissioned by Manchester University Press to re-illustrate all the play text covers of their Revels series.[5] His efforts were recognised by the Dimensional Illustrators and the work was exhibited at the Art Directors' Club Gallery in New York city.[6][7]

He had his first one-man-show in August 1999,[8] and his 2008 show, Magicians[9] was described as "an intricate fantasy, nonetheless magical for its mercurial truths" by the Glasgow Herald.[10]

Scratchmann is the author of "Illustration 101"[11] and "Chucking It All", a memoir pulped by its original publisher after its characterisation of Orcadians caused widespread offence in the islands.[12] Scratchmann is also a contributor to various poetry anthologies, the most notable being "Star Trek - The Poems".[13]

Bibliography

Select bibliography of covers

Notes

  1. Steve Savage Publishers, London, 2012, ISBN 978-1904246381
  2. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 1975-78
  3. Hearts & Minds
  4. Inez de Castro, 1999, La Traviata 2008
  5. Manchester University Press; New edition (9 May 1996) ISBN 978-0-7190-4355-0
  6. Dimensional Illustrators, Bronze Award, paper collage, 1996
  7. Dimensional Illustrators Award Show, New York Art Directors' Club, NYC, 1997.
  8. Painting Fairies, the Edge Gallery, Soho Square, London, UK
  9. Magicians, Aberdeen Art Centre, Jan 2008
  10. Glasgow Herald, 10 Jan 2008
  11. Poison Pixie Publishing, Scotland, 2006, ISBN 978-0-9537307-1-1
  12. Article in The Scotsman http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Orkney-satire-makes-for-pulp.5386388.jp
  13. Star Trek- The Poems, Iron Press, Valerie Laws, Ed, 2000, ISBN 978-0-906228-77-7

References

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