Batsford Prize 2026 Artist Interview: Anantjeet Kaur

Here we get an inside look into the work of Anantjeet Kaur, Book Illustration Winner of The Batsford Prize 2026. Her work ‘Terrace Tales’ responds to the 2026 theme of Connections.

Hi Anantjeet! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOUR PIECE? WHAT IS IT YOU’RE TRYING TO SAY WITH YOUR WORK AND DOES THE FINAL PIECE DIFFER FROM THE ORIGINAL IDEA?

I created Terrace Tales from a personal longing for the rooftop terraces of my childhood after moving to the UK. Whilst on a trip to India, I began sketching these spaces to capture their overlooked nuances and the sense of freedom they offer. Shaped by observation, memory and imagination, the project records terraces as a safe space where play, community and solitude coexist for people of all ages, preserving a disappearing urban feature.
The illustrations open out into a continuous, wordless sequence, creating a flowing landscape of interconnected rooftops. Although the images subtly move from morning to night, the concertina format allows for nonlinear reading, so viewers of all ages and cultures can wander, revisit scenes and enter the rhythm of rooftop life at their own pace, in their own way, as an open and shared space for all.

My initial ideas explored many kinds of paper-folding, each intended to open out into a single image, but compositionally none of them felt right for what I was trying to communicate and given the time I had, the concertina format was the clearest solution.

WHO ARE YOUR PARTICULAR ARTIST INSPIRATIONS AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU CREATIVELY?

When I look at an artist’s work, what speaks to me most is the hunger and curiosity their work embodies, and also how hopeful it leaves me. I’m especially drawn to people figures in art, and also the play between light and shade. The life and work of Paula Rego, Roger Duvoisin, Amrita Shergill have recently been inspiring the direction of my work.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER YOU COMPLETE YOUR STUDIES?

I look forward to return to India and set up an illustration practice working with clients worldwide. I’d like to tell authentic stories from my culture – historic, contemporary, fiction, non-fiction. Being in India feeds my artistic antennae in the most wholesome way and has shaped both how and what I express. I’d also like to be involved with initiatives that aim to bolster the reading habit among children and adults alike.

WHAT LED YOU TO CREATE THIS PIECE IN THIS PARTICULAR MEDIUM?

I was inspired by a Korean concertina book called ‘Run!’ by Kawon and was immediately taken by its ability to pull the reader piece by piece into a wider narrative image. I chose screen printing for its bold colour and graphic clarity, which suits this wordless and detailed narrative. The 3-colour palette allows complex scenes to remain readable, authentically echo the culture and creates a cohesive visual rhythm. The layers further bring out the depth and vibrancy of Indian rooftop life.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO STUDY ILLUSTRATION AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR COURSE THAT YOU THINK IS PARTICULARLY UNIQUE?

I came into illustration because I felt the dire need for good books representing the Sikh community I come from. After making a few books to plug the gap, I felt the need for a more structured mentoring. At Cambridge School of Art, the sharp focus on developing our own unique voice following our particular interests and preoccupations, powered by observational drawing was an invaluable learning experience. I think being away from my home country also added to the need to tell my own stories or lived experiences.

WHAT DOES WINNING THE BATSFORD PRIZE MEAN TO YOU?

I created Terrace Tales to challenge myself to represent the beauty and practices of India visually. I wasn’t sure the ‘muchness’ of the images would go down well in UK which sports a very different aesthetic in children’s literature. Winning the prize gives me confidence that my voice matters beyond my course, school and home, and that publishers like Batsford Books and the judges truly appreciate culturally diverse stories. It fills me with hope.

IF YOU COULD HAVE CHOSEN THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S BATSFORD PRIZE, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE CHOSEN AND WHY?

While I loved the current topic as most of my work fits into the subject of Connections, ’Touch Grass’ – the gen Z term for doing activities without devices would make a great topic. It encompasses elements of grounding, digital detox, nostalgia as well as modern contemporary subjects which artists can have fun with, in both concurrent and cheeky ways.

Anantjeet Kaur

Anantjeet is an illustrator and designer from India, working in children’s literature. Trained in graphic design, she shifted from digital drawing to tactile image-making during her recently concluded MA. Her work authentically explores human connections, culture, and childhood curiosity, drawing inspiration from her Indian, Sikh, and Punjabi roots.

IG: @ananthralled