Hope Blooms: An interview with artist Audrey Villafaña
Audrey Villafaña is a Sydney-based illustrator and Production Coordinator in Animation. She is the designer of RACS’s new Hope Blooms tote bag. Read on for some insights into her work.
What prompted you to start on your illustration journey?
I've always loved reading and books, and grew up adoring animated films. The world always makes more sense when I can draw or write it out. This led to me studying Animation at uni, where I then interned at Total Girl magazine (a childhood dream!). It was there that I discovered a love for kidlit and children's illustration, and I've been pursuing that ever since.
What kind of stories do you want to tell, or values do you want to express, through your art?
I'm drawn to stories about empathy and diversity.
I want my art to feel playful, nostalgic, and silly, while also being a space for people to navigate differences and find their place in the world.
How did you come up with your RACS tote bag design? What kind of message did you want to express through your design?
My RACS tote bag design shows a mother and child holding wilting flowers, taking shelter under a bluebell that reads ‘It’s Legal To Seek Asylum’.
I wanted to use organic motifs to express the idea that safety, refuge, and protection are all natural human rights. I also wanted to show that hope (symbolised by the flowers) can bloom from acts of dignity and care.
What keeps you going with your artmaking?
I love that my art can help kids feel represented and comforted by its characters and the stories they're in. I also get a huge rush of adrenaline from trying new materials! As mind-melting as the learning curve can be, experimenting with new art supplies, textures, and colours always inspires an avalanche of fun ideas to explore.
You can follow Audrey’s Instagram here and see her profile here.
As a Production Coordinator in Animation, Audrey most recently worked on Shaun Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia for the ABC. With a beautiful and unique story and diverse cast, you can stream all the episodes on iView.
Purchase your own tote in the RACS shop!
