The Power of Shared Grief
A G2 cover for a live brief set by the Guardian's art director, chosen as the winning entry through the Inkygoodness Make Your Mark bootcamp
OVERVIEW
A cover and inner illustration created for a live brief on collective grief: the way mourning moves through groups rather than individuals. Set by the Guardian’s G2 art director Sarah Habershon, this entry was selected as the winning concept through Inkygoodness’ Make Your Mark bootcamp.
THE BRIEF
The image needed emotional weight without cliché: no candles, no silhouettes, none of the usual shorthand for loss. It also had to work within the Guardian’s G2 format and editorial tone.
THE CONCEPT
I developed three sketch directions, then refined the strongest one through colour. The final image builds the Queen’s profile from many grieving faces, turning collective mourning into a shared human presence rather than a dark symbol.
THE OUTCOME
Chosen as the winning entry by the G2 art director, mocked up across the cover and inner spread; an image that holds the weight of the subject while staying open and human.
