Resistance Is Futile – Peter Johnstone / Bandcamp link
illustration, design
It was a great honour to be asked to create the illustrated packaging for Peter Johnstone’s new album ‘Resistance is Futile’ with his International Organ Quartet.
Taking inspiration from the themes of the track titles and from the overall feel of the music itself, I came up with a vibrant and stormy-looking inky indigo blue theme with bright pops of vivid orange and yellow, reflecting the atmosphere of the music which is rich, moody and full of energy.
I wove the idea of the inevitability of time into the illustration, with the horse (representing track 8) as a symbol of power and movement, forging forwards, unrestrained by a golden time-thread.
The subtle face on the outer left panel is an imaginary figure from the past, inspired by ancient frescoes, dreaming of the future through time and space – represented by the moon phases, clouds, and the flying ‘particles’ of light/time which converge on the cover. As often is the case, I also brought some migratory birds into the illustration to emphasise a journey and the left-to-right movement of the artwork.
Massive thanks to Peter for asking me to work on this.
The music is truly amazing; I highly recommend a listen!!
