James awarded 2024 ASA Medal
The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) has announced Ann James is the recipient of the 2024 ASA Medal.
Established in 2003, the ASA Medal is awarded annually to an Australian author or illustrator who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian culture, both as a creator and an advocate.
Said the ASA: ‘Ann James is one of Australia’s most prolific and accomplished illustrators, with over 70 award-winning books.’ Books James has illustrated include The Midnight Gang (Margaret Wild, Omnibus), Dog In, Cat Out, (Gillian Rubinstein, Omnibus), Little Humpty (Margaret Wild, Little Hare), Lucy Goosey (Margaret Wild, Little Hare), and Goodbye House, Hello House (Margaret Wild, A&U Children’s). The ASA said James ‘has made a stunning contribution to Australian literary culture and has been unparalleled in her generous support of the Australian illustrating community’.
Beyond her illustrating career, James ‘has given back to Australian literature generously, both in terms of her advocacy and her mentorship of Australian illustrators’, said the ASA. James established the Society of Book Illustrators (SoBI) with David Wong and Terry Denton in 1988, and then coordinated SoBI until the merger with the ASA in 1996. She then served on the ASA board for 20 years, where she fought ‘long and hard’ for Educational Lending Rights, established the ASA Style File, and shared her expertise through portfolio assessments and professional development events, according to the ASA.
In collaboration with Ann Haddon, James established Books Illustrated, ‘to elevate and celebrate the art of picture book illustration’. James was a founding director of the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation and served on the board for 10 years. As a mentor, she has supported new illustrators, including Sadami Konchi and Karen Briggs. She has worked with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation as an ambassador, running writing and illustration programs. Internationally, James helped to establish the Hello! from Australia Publishing Collective Stand at the Bologna Book Fair, ‘advancing the international profile of Australian authors and illustrators’.
Said ASA chair Sophie Cunningham: ‘I think it is safe to say that the ASA represents illustrators thanks to Ann James. She has been pivotal in raising the profile and position of illustrators as book creators, ensuring they are properly acknowledged for their work and building a viable professional environment for many artists.’
Said James: ‘I’m overwhelmed and humbled, but thrilled as a beetle as my Dad would say, to accept the ASA Medal, as it recognises illustrators as authors and celebrates the collective achievements of Australia’s children’s book creators. We are a collaborative bunch!’
James will be presented with the 2024 award at the ASA’s annual Colin Simpson Memorial Lecture in Sydney on 13 November. The winner of the 2023 medal was Helen Garner.
Category: Awards Local news
