63rd edition 13- 16 April 2026 | Bologna - Italy
63rd edition 13- 16 April 2026 | Bologna - Italy
The jury composed by Anna and Elena Balbusso known as the Balbusso Twins, an artistic duo working in the fields of illustration, art, and design (Italy); Stian Hole, illustrator, graphic designer and picturebook-maker (Norway); Lara Peces Ruisánchez, art director for children’s and young adult literature at Ediciones SM (Spain), awarded the 15th International Award for Illustration Bologna Children’s Book Fair - Fundación SM to the Italian illustrator
MARGAUX ROMANO
Jury Statement:
The Jury of the International Award for Illustration BCB - Fundación SM was impressed by this artist’s distinctive voice, professional approach, boldness, and personality - all the more remarkable given her young age. She demonstrates wisdom, confidence, and a masterful command of the tools of a skilled illustrator. Her work reveals a brilliant use of contrast, both in lines and colour and in the size of the elements across the spread. She succeeds in blending abstract and figurative language with a strong ability to organize space, balancing filled and empty areas, light and dark, even though visual disproportion. Underneath the surface, one senses a philosophical theme of alienation or loneliness—human feelings that even a child can recognize and relate to. At the core lies a culture of design and a solid artistic foundation.For these reasons, the Jury has decided to confer the 2026 Award upon Margaux Romano.
