The Speculative Literature Foundation has selected “Pursuit” by Angela Hedrick as their 2024 Illustration of the Year. See the artwork at the link.
Hedrick commented on her winning illustration, “What inspired me to create ‘Pursuit’ was the idea of mixing science fiction, fantasy, and everyday life. The plan was to create a character working on something normal and relatable but having them in a fantastical setting. The piece came together as I tried to mix all these elements. I thought having the person in the piece be a writer would be a good focal point because SLF is an organization focused on creating stories. By creating a warm atmosphere in the room surrounded by plants, I separate it from the cold outer background of space. The room itself isn’t fantastical, but we are greeted by deep space instead of greenery through the window. I added detail to the wall to make it look metallic so there is a connection between the two spaces. I named it ‘Pursuit’ because the writer in the piece is pursuing her writing dreams. Meanwhile, in the background, the spaceships are pursuing their goals, and the viewer is left to wonder and imagine their destinations.” Learn more at 2024 Illustration of the Year Winner Angela Hedrick.
The winning artist receives a cash prize of $750.00. The winning artwork will be featured throughout 2024 on the SLF’s website, newsletter, social media accounts and other materials. “Pursuit” is the SLF’s seventh annual Illustration of the Year. Learn more about the annual Illustration of the Year contest here.
Launched in January 2004 to promote literary quality in speculative fiction, the Speculative Literature Foundation addresses historical inequities in access to literary opportunities for marginalized writers. The SLF staff and board are committed to representing racial, gender, and class diversity at all levels of our organization. This commitment is at the heart of what the Speculative Literature Foundation stands for: equal access to create and advance science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature. They strive to enable writers at any stage of their career and of any age, any ethnicity, any gender expression, from any location and of any economic or social status, who want to learn about, or create within, the speculative arts.
The Speculative Literature Foundation is partially funded by the Oak Park Area Arts Council, Village of Oak Park, Illinois Arts Council Agency, National Endowment for the Arts and Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation.