Javier Zabala: Spain ★ Illustrator

“If it is a really good Picture book, both children and adults must enjoy it.”

Javier Zabala

Javier Zabala was born in León, Spain, and from a young age he knew that his purpose in life was to continue learning. Like many illustrators, his life path did not begin in the arts, and he abandoned his studies in veterinary medicine and law studies in order to pursue an education in the Graphic Design and Illustration Programme at the Oviedo Art School. Zabala found great success in the realm of illustration, and he moved to Madrid in 1989 in order to begin working for Spanish publishers and magazines. Presently, Zabala has illustrated over seventy books, some of which he has written, and his books have been translated into fifteen languages.

Zabala’s artwork is known for creating emotional responses in its viewers, and his avant-garde style is as thought-provoking as it is beautiful. There is a certain impulsive element to his illustrations; each piece is constructed differently, meaning each piece uniquely invites fresh and varying perspectives. He does not limit himself to one form of illustration, and his drawings are often brought together by different elements and techniques. Zabala thrives on the freedom to experiment with many art forms, and the small publishing houses in Spain allow him to express his artistic creativity in unique and innovative ways. This freedom has nourished Zabala’s gift and allowed him to develop the slight surrealism that is evident in his work.

Zabala’s art has been displayed in many international art exhibitions and festivals, and has also been recognized in children’s literature fairs. In 2005, he won the national award for best illustrations in children’s literature, and in 2010 he was awarded the APIC Junceda Iberia Award for his illustrations in a new edition of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Zabala also delivers courses and workshops in libraries and art schools in Europe and Latin America, and collaborates with universities and communities in reading encouragement days. He has been teaching summer courses in illustration at the University of Macerata in Italy since 2006, and in 2009 he also began teaching summer courses at the Ostia Library in Rome.