Tolkien artist Alan Lee to be Special Guest at Worldcon

David Stewart

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INTERACTION, THE 63rd WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION
http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/

PRESS RELEASE #30 - Renowned Fantasy Artist Alan Lee to be Special Guest


GLASGOW, Friday 18 March 2005


Alan Lee to be special Guest at Interaction – Oscar®-winning artist
worked as conceptual artist on Lord of the Rings movie trilogy


Fantasy artist Alan Lee, who won an Oscar for his work on The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King will be a special guest at Interaction,
the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention, which takes place in Glasgow
this August. Mr Lee, who appears in cooperation with the Tolkien 2005
conference, will attend the convention on Saturday 6 August and
Sunday 7 August.

“Alan Lee’s artwork has been associated with J.R.R. Tolkien for two
decades, from his inspired illustrations for the centenary edition
of the books to his acclaimed work on the movie trilogy,” remarked
Interaction Co-Chair Colin Harris. “It is entirely appropriate therefore
that we should invite him to be a special guest at Interaction in the
same year that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication
of the final volume of the trilogy. I would especially like to thank
Harper Collins for their help in arranging Alan Lee's participation.”

A native of London, Alan Lee studied at the Ealing School of Art.
After graduation he became a freelance illustrator doing mostly book
covers. He came to greater public attention in 1978, however, when in
collaboration with Brian Froud, he published Faeries. To celebrate the
centenary of J.R.R. Tolkien’s birth, Harper Collins commissioned Lee to
produce 50 paintings to illustrate a special hardcover edition of
the Lord of the Rings trilogy, thus beginning his association with the
author. He subsequently illustrated Tolkien’s Ring by David Day and
the 1997 edition of The Hobbit. His next book, The Lord of the Rings
Sketchbook, is due out from Harper Collins in September 2005.

Lee spent over six years working with Peter Jackson on the three
Lord of the Rings movies, creating the distinctive look of Middle Earth.
The three movies won the Hugo Award, Science Fiction’s highest honours,
in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2004 he received an Oscar for his work as
part of the art direction team on The Return of the King. He has also
worked with Terry Jones on Erik the Viking and with Ridley Scott on
Legend.

Interaction is the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention and takes
place in the Scottish Exhibition and Convention Centre from
4 to 8 August 2005.


ENDS

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Photos available on request from press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk

Contacts

General: info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk
Press/Media: David Stewart - press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk

The 2005 World Science Fiction Convention, known as Interaction, will
take place in Glasgow, UK from 4-8 August 2005. More information about
Interaction, including current membership rates, is available from its
web site (http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/) or by writing to
info@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.

Specific press contacts, or requests to be removed from the
Interaction press release mailing list should be directed to
press@interaction.worldcon.org.uk.

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