Acclaimed Dutch artist Aimée de Jongh found inspiration in William Golding’s powerful “Lord of the Flies”. Captivated by the tale of stranded schoolboys, she created an art collection conveying the raw struggles and themes inherent to the story. Expressionistic in style, De Jongh’s work captures the visceral human nature revealed when societal norms are stripped away.
De Jongh had earlier sought to translate the narrative into a graphic novel, but faced copyright issues with Faber, Golding’s publisher. Undeterred, she paid homage to Golding by incorporating characters Ralph and Simon into her original pieces.
Dutch artist’s graphic portrayal of ‘Lord of the Flies’
This skillful weaving of names subtly ties her work to the influential narrative, acknowledging Golding’s profound impact on her as an artist.
As the 70th anniversary of “Lord of the Flies” approaches in 2024, both Faber and the Golding estate desired a visual tribute to the novel. They reached out to De Jongh, hopeful she would revisit her initial idea. Despite intense competition, they chose her for the job, marking her version as the first graphic novel adaptation of the story, following two films, a stage version, a BBC radio drama, and a future TV adaptation.
De Jongh is aware that she may face criticism from fans and critics due to the standing of the original novel. However, her deep love for the story drove her onward, showing her commitment to bringing this ambitious project to life.
