Question 1 - what do the finger prints
represent?
That's an interesting question; partly it is
just that I like the look of fingerprints as a texture, but they are only used
in certain places, such as in the landscape. I think I wanted to suggest an
ancient history or relationship of a people to the land, and
fingerprints are interesting in two ways: they suggest a unique identity, and
they are a very old inherited pattern, passed down through countless
generations.
Question 2 - what type of animals are the
aboriginals represented as? Why ?
Firstly, I wouldn't myself say that the animals 'represent' Aborigines or
Europeans for that matter - not directly like a symbol anyway. It is more like a
parallel universe with some similarities to our own historically, so the story
makes sense even if you know nothing about Australia (the book is also published
in Canada, for instance, and well understood). That said, all the creatures are
imaginary, but based on ones we know.
The marsupials as I call them are based on two animals, a tree kangaroo
from Papua New Guinea, which has strong arms, can curl up and 'sits' a lot in
trees, and a numbat, which is an small endangered animal with white stripes on
its back.
Question 3 - is there a meaning behind the
shape of the rabbits? what?
Kind of, although I don't think it 'means' anything in particular (like
'representing'), so much as you get a certain sense or feeling from their shape.
They are quite stiff, and have a strong right angle, which is how I started
drawing them. They are also flat so we only see them in profile, and have pointy
bits that may make them look a bit unapproachable. The big curled tail is not
important, it just looks right on them. What is important is that we don't see a
lot of their face, and I wanted to give an impression that their intentions are
a bit hidden, that they are not open or easy to understand.
Question 4 - why is it that the sails on the
boat are blowing in different directions to each other?
That's an interesting observation - you got me there! I guess when it comes
down to it, I'm not interested in making realistic pictures, especially not if
the realism gets in the way of an 'effect' or emotional reaction. The fact that
some sails trail behind makes the ship look more dynamic and forward-moving,
which wouldn't work if I worried about real physics. For the same reason, the
whole ship would tip forward and crash if it had such a big front part - so
logic is not important to me. Emotional impact is.
Question 5 - what do the peacock
feathers resemble?
Eyes I thought. In the part where the children are stolen, you can see that
quite clearly; the feather looks just like the rabbit eye. Of course, it is
meant to be a quill or ink pen, and the use of a peacock feather instead of a
'normal' feather makes it look a bit more artistocratic or flamboyant.
