White (Tim, artist, 1952-2020) Archive of original artwork illustrations for 'Weaveworld' by Clive Barker, comprising three original illustrations for cover and spine designs on boards, and other original variation designs for illustrations or initials of the work on paper, all signed by the artist, some mounted on sheets (one detached), v.s., [1987] (sml qty)

⁂ A remarkable archive documenting the creation of the entire publication of the science-fiction artwork for the first edition of Barker's novel Weaveworld.

Tim White is celebrated as a representative of a new school of super-realists that began shaping British science-fiction art in the mid-1970s. Other notable works include designs for Frank Herbert, Robert A. Heinlein, H.P. Lovecraft and August Derleth.

The artist was particularly pleased with this work, and described in a letter that the "painting is a bit magical in that in certain light it seems to 'come alive'. I don't know if you have read the book? The carpet design in the book does just that!".

Published in White's Chiaroscuro (1988), the illustrator explains the central theme of carpet within the novel: "gradually the idea evolved to use the carpet border to reflect events in the novel...the final design includes 32 separate vignettes, each portraying elements of the story", all of which is surrounded by a border of imagined "viruses, bacteria, parasites"..."whose purpose is to defend the carpet". White even claimed that Collins commissioned the Royal College of Art's Tapestry Studio to create the carpet itself, though the whereabouts is unknown.

For the main cover image, White utilised colour theory, and deliberately chose contrasting primary colours to create a visually unsettling effect. While he enjoyed creating the designs for the work, White disliked the time constraints placed on him by the publisher. He recalled having "a bit of a bad time withe art director", and found that of daily nagging phone calls from Collins put him under pressure. Ultimately, though, White's labours were rewarded: "When the book came out and Clive Barker was on the Jonathan Ross show, with his book, he called me a genius!".

Archive comprises:

1) 'Uriel', front panel jacket design for 'Weaveworld', airbrush and acrylic on board, signed in image and on board below in pen,c.35 x 245mm ( image c.300 x 155mm (11 ½ x 6 ¼in), taped down.

2) 'Magic Carpet', 2 designs for spine and lower panel, airbrush and acrylic on boards, signed in image and on board below in pen, c.350 x 235mm (13 ¾ x 9 ¼in) and 345 x 80mm (13 ¾ x 3 ½ in), taped down.

3) Untitled back cover design for lower panel, acrylic on paper, signed by the artist below, 190 x 120 mm (7 ½ x 4 ½ in).

4) 10 designs for 'Weaveworld', mostly illustrations and one jacket design, acrylic and pencil, laid down on 2 sheets, one detached, pencil designs slightly foxed, each signed on image, some with captions below, with inscription "Dear John, here are some ideas for 'Weaveworld', I hope you like them. Kind regards Tim" at top of first sheet, largest image 120 x 65mm (4¾ x 2¾ in), smallest 50 x 30mm (2 x 1 in).

5) 4 designs for initials and in-text decorations, black pen and ink on 3 sheets, signed by the artist.

6) First edition of Weaveworld, signed by the author on title, original boards, dust-jacket, spine faded, 1987.