Consider this my apology to James Jean for not remembering his name.
Back in 2008, the European organization "AIDES" commissioned some posters for their safe sex campaign "Explore, just protect yourself"
Safe sex ads in America tend to follow fear tactics, usually images of asymmetric sores or heart breaking stories of couples who accumulated diseases and can't have children. So it's nice to take a step back and look around at some of Europe's ads, which lean more to the side of humourus and encouraging. There's something strangely endearing about the idea of piloting a condom-ship through the waters (or in the male version of this ad, outer space) of sex that makes this illustration so enjoyable, not to mention the image itself is stunning.
As I mentioned, there are other versions of this ad, including another girl exploring the ocean, and a young man exploring outer space. I show you this one because it's the most work-safe. But click through if you don't mind vagina planets and penis sea creatures.
I love this. What great interpretations for this campaign. I'm glad you shared this :)
ReplyDeleteI’ve never really liked this kind of concept when it comes to showing private parts as objects, but now I’m in love with this artists work cause of you, haha. Color and style is surely something I’m really intrigued with. Appreciate you pointing this artists work out ^w^ I just love their use of colors a lot.
ReplyDeletei enjoy this very much.. besides being clever and fun theyre really well drawn and colored.
ReplyDeletethis is a good illustration, at first glance its cool but it just gets better after you here the story of how this illustration came to be.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great concept! I agree that it's refreshing to see a safe sex ad that isn't melodramatic or dark but rather beautiful and full of color. Too bad that we don't see many like this in the US!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that makes James Jean a great illustrator is the content he creates is thoroughly researched and authentic. Yes, he has mastered the technical side of it too, but a pretty picture without any substance behind it is just a pretty picture. I'm kind of glad that he "retired" from illustration to focus on fine art because I would hate to have to compete for jobs against him. He is very good at what he did.
ReplyDelete