Maeva de Graaf 

In this illustrated project, I explore the genre of horror and its ongoing use in mediating our cultural and societal anxieties. My wordless picture book, the Face Thief, is intended for an older audience. The design and story derives influence from monsters in horror, folklore and fairytales, as well as the cultural conventions used intentionally to create fear and unease. The story is about a girl who witnesses a monster stealing her younger brother’s face and then sets out to get it back. The tale is dark, and so is conveyed through a dark palette and abstract style.