Illustrator Ana Juan, named Honorary Professor at UDIT
UDIT, University of Design, Innovation and Technology, has appointed the artist and illustrator Ana Juan as Honorary Professor of the University. In a ceremony presided over by the Rector, Juan Cayón, the University wanted to recognise Ana Juan's professional career as one of the great international artists and illustrators.
With this recognition, UDIT highlights the professional career of the Valencian artist, one of the main exponents of illustration in our country, whose work has crossed borders and has reached cities such as New York and Tokyo.
Juan Cayón, Rector of UDIT, has been in charge of presenting her with the distinction that represents this recognition and has highlighted: "Her creativity, passion and dedication are an inspiring example for all of us. Throughout her career, Ana has demonstrated a unique ability to capture the essence of humanity in her work, and her influence extends beyond the borders of our country.
Today, by appointing her as Honorary Professor, we recognise her exceptional talent and open the doors of this University to her, convinced that she will enrich our academic community, offering our students a valuable opportunity to learn from and get to know a true master of art.
This appointment also reflects the commitment of our university, of this academic institution, to support creation and art".
The event was also attended by members of the UDIT university community - academic staff and students - as well as a good number of artists and illustrators and family and friends of the honoured artist, including the artist Javier de Juan and Inmaculada Corcho, director of the ABC Museum of Drawing and Illustration, who took part in a round table discussion with the artist herself, taking stock of her extraordinary career.
Telling stories through illustration
Ana Juan was born in Valencia in 1961 and always felt a fervent passion for drawing. As a child, she drew non-stop, until those strokes led her to study Fine Arts at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. It was there that she began to look for her path, which did not lead her to painting or to Art with a capital letter, as she calls it, but which was to guide her directly towards drawing and illustration, which she was so passionate about.
While still studying for her degree, Ana Juan began to collaborate with the daily press and, later, in Madrid, she began to publish in magazines such as Madriz and La Luna and in renowned media such as El País and El Mundo.
Shortly afterwards, the illustrator jumped to the international scene, where she took her first steps creating posters and advertising campaigns for brands such as Renfe and American Airlines, as well as illustrating books and magazine covers.
It is precisely in this field where some of her most renowned works are framed, having designed the cover of the prestigious magazine The New Yorker on 28 occasions, among which are some works that have received international acclaim, such as the cover Reflections, a tribute to the victims of 9/11 on its tenth anniversary, which is still on display at the Museum located at Zone 0.
She has also published several books, such as the children's book Frida and The Night Eater and the adult books Snowhite and Demeter, as well as illustrating many others, such as Stephen King's The Man in the Black Suit.
The illustrator also knows what it is like to work for non-governmental organisations, such as Amnesty International, and has exhibited her work in different national and international cities.
In 2010, Ana Juan was recognised with the National Illustration Prize, awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, an award that shows the relevance and impact of the work of the Valencian artist and illustrator, who continues to search for stories to be able to tell them through her passion, illustration.
