Book showcases local’s creative work
Zululand artist and lecturer, Yvette Dunn co- illustrates book 'Under the Raintree'.
ESTEEMED Zululand artist and lecturer, Yvette Dunn assisted in completing the book, ‘Under the Raintree’, an African calender, a project of late author, Barbara Knutson.
The former St Catherine’s High School Visual Arts teacher and accomplished artist assisted with the completion of the last six months of the book, a story relaying the conversations between a young Zulu boy and his wise old grandfather.
Through their dialogue, the months of how the traditional Zulu calendar acquired their names, based on the rhythms and changes that were noticed season after season, and the illustrations throughout the book, show a realistic mixture of traditional and modern, subtly illustrating the passage of time.
Dunn was approached to complete the book, which at the time of Knutson’s death in 2005, was a work in progress spanning morethan 15 years.
The stories of a family in rural Zululand and authentic art designs are brought to life through the brilliant sketches and writings of these two born Zululand women.
Personal touch
Anne and Teddy Dunn, proud parents of Yvette, said they were extremely happy about their daughter’s achievements and her contribution to the book’s release.
Meanwhile, the young artist said it took a while to start painting the illustrations of the book as she was working in collaboration with a deceased author and had never taken on a project of this nature.
‘I had to channel her creative energy so that the book could sing one song.
‘I learnt her techniques of drawing and painting, but also had to make the images that I did, mine, and demonstrate my technique of painting.
‘So I used to talk and pray to her while I was gathering and reading all her research.
‘I had never illustrated a book before and in some strange way, she taught me how to illustrate and narrate a story in a very poetic way and opened me up to new creative possibilities.
‘Currently, I am working on illustrating a children’s book on my family history, the Legacy of John Dunn, which I would not have thought of had I not worked on this project,’ she said.
