Cybèle Young wins Governor General’s Literary Award
for Children’s Illustration
November 30, 2011
Earlier this month, the Canada Council for the Arts announced the winners of the 2011 Governor General's Literary Awards. OCAD University alumna Cybèle Young's book Ten Birds received the prize in the Children's Illustration category, earning the artist a $25,000 prize. Young was named among a group of 14 winners, including Caroline Merola of Montreal, who received the French language Children's Illustration award for her book Lili et les poilus.
"Ten Birds is a whimsical, surreal visual riddle," commented the jury of Young's book. "A disarmingly simple story becomes a complex discussion of the adjectives used to "pigeon-hole" individuals in society. Cybèle Young's beautifully crafted pen and ink images describe a journey to simply cross a river. Ironically none of the birds can fly, but ultimately the simplest answer may be the best."
"The 2011 GG-winning books reflect the diversity and depth of contemporary Canadian literature," said Robert Sirman, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts. "With the hundreds of other great books that have won Canada's national literary award over the past 75 years, they represent pure gold for Canadian creative excellence."
Young, who studied at OCAD U in the mid 1990's, is known for her delicate sculptural works created from fine Japanese papers. She is the recipient of many visual arts grants from the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts and has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Canada, Korea, the UK and the US. Her work is featured in several collections, including the Canada Council Art Bank. Her illustrated books for children include Pa's Harvest (GG finalist, 2000), and Jack Pine (2007). She is both the writer and illustrator of the GG-winning Ten Birds (2011) and A Few Blocks (2011). Cybèle Young lives and works in Toronto.
Congratulations Cybèle!
Images courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts.