Isobel Gale

I started my project by trying to think about what inspires me the most, the work I always want to create. My main subject has always been animals. There are so many ways to take this broad subject matter, and I wanted to think of a new way. Before this year I had never done hand-drawn animation before, so already the consideration of making the animals move piqued my interest. I also wanted the work to be meaningful and personal, so chose to look into spirit animals, tribal origins and ecology, which fascinated me the deep connection people have with the environment and animals around them.

Throughout the project, I tried to keep it free and not force any ideas to make it as spiritual an experience as I could. The character of a crow appeared in my mind, and although I don’t relate to the personality of a crow, it seemed like a key image, so I continued to develop the idea and the meaning behind the character, growing wings and flying free.

The other key idea in my work is the forest. In my research about ecology and tribal cultures and traditions, the environment was the biggest part of their lifestyle, and how to live fully in sync with what is around you, and feeling fully part of something. A home place.

I hope you enjoy my project.