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How 10 Illustrators Have Used Visual Art to React to the Historic Brexit Vote

The United Kingdom’s historic voting on Brexit—a referendum on whether to remain in the European Union or leave—came to a head last week, as 52% percent of the country wanted to exit the group of member states. Reactions to the decision were (and continue to be) passionate, as many people express frustration and sadness over the prospect of leaving. They’ve voiced their opinions on social media—a group that includes illustrators, who have chosen to visually depict their thoughts and emotions.

During the Paris attacks, Jean Jullien’s brilliantly concise Peace for Paris drawing became an instant and poignant symbol for the tragedy. The illustrator has since expressed his opinion on the EU referendum, placing himself strong in the Remain camp by drawing arm-linked figures with the caption, “Stronger Together.” Other creatives refrain from expressing a preference either way, and instead conceptualize what an exit means—it’s a balloon being cut from a string and stitching be snipped in two.

Check out how illustrators have reacted to the vote, below.

Above image credit: @andreaangeli_

Image credit: @jean_jullien

Image credit: @hatch_art

Image credit: @liva.r

Image source: @amishaghadiali

Image credit: Linzie Hunter

Image credit: @lucaslevitan

Image credit: Gizem Vural

Image credit: Pep Montserrat

Image credit: @jboyprints

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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