Kyle Harabedian: 2013 Graduate Thesis | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Kyle Harabedian: 2013 Graduate Thesis

The work I do is stylistically inspired by early 20th century newspaper comic-strips and pen and ink illustration. My ongoing investigation of historical illustration techniques has led to my current project that applies these techniques to more contemporary subject matter. While this approach could result in something simply nostalgic, my intention is to explore the connection between the past and the present. The goal is to give the work a quality of timelessness.

My interest in the use of historical style sometimes involves the juxtaposition between the style and content of the stories to create a dramatic tension. The incongruity of a contemporary subject drawn in a style identified with an earlier period can create a disorienting effect.

 

I was raised in Dearborn, Michigan the hometown of Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. Known as the Motor City, the economy of the region continues to be dependent on the automobile industry. As a freelance illustrator, I would often work late into the night on a project in an effort to meet a challenging deadline. Early in the morning, as I was finishing up my night’s work, I would hear the sounds of neighbors going out to their cars to go to work in factories and on assembly lines. I was aware that I was fortunate to be able to do a creative job and not something I would find less satisfying. This realization was accompanied by a sense of responsibility to my audience to do the best work that I could do.

Join the Facebook Event.

Categories