Illustrator Nominee: Russia

Nikolai Popov
Russia, Illustrator

Nikolai Popov was born in Saratov in 1938. In 1962 he graduated from the art faculty of the Moscow Printing Institute. Since then he has worked in the area of graphic arts, becoming a member of the Artists' Union of the Russian Federation in 1967, and is now established as one of Russia's most highly regarded picturebook artists and graphic designers. He has participated in exhibitions throughout the world and his work is exhibited in galleries in Russia and internationally.

Popov's first publication was a series of lithographs for an edition of Robinson Crusoe, published in 1974. This was soon followed by an illustrated edition of the Arabian Nights fairy tales. Popov has since then created illustrations to accompany a number of collections of folk and fairy tales from different countries.

It is, however, for Warum?, first published in Salzburg, that he is internationally renowned. This wordless picturebook has been published in many countries, its universal message of the futility of war speaking to people across nations. In simple watercolours, heightened by Popov's attention to small details, a battle between mice and frogs is played out against a peaceful pastoral background that rapidly becomes smoky, grey and despoiled by aggression. It all begins when an umbrella-toting mouse attempts to snatch a lily from a frog sitting peacefully on a rock. The frog and its allies retaliate, but eventually the war is over and the frog sits clutching the mouse's now-battered umbrella. On the battlefield the war vehicles are boots and shoes in which the combatants face each other. This quirky device is typical of Popov's love of invention - he is also a talented creator of sculptures in metal and wood - and his imaginative employment of objects out of context adds significance as well as humour to his work.

Popov has participated in Mitsuma Anno's All in a Day project, showing everyday activities taking place concurrently but at different times of day throughout the world. He has worked as an animator on many films, the most recent being Plantov's version of Noah's Ark (2006). He has won many awards and has been honoured for his work throughout the world.