Acclaimed Animator, Joanna Quinn, Receives Honorary Doctorate
Skwigly
Emmy and Bafta winning animator Joanna Quinn has added an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University to her collection of international awards.
Joanna, who discovered the magic of animation whilst studying for a BA in Graphic Design at Middlesex University, has returned to her old stomping ground to pick up the award for her contribution to the field of animation.
After quickly adapting her unique drawing abilities to produce beautifully fluid and dynamic animated passages Joanna’s first film, Girl’s Night Out (1986), won 3 prizes at the Annecy Animation Festival in 1987 and thrust her into the international animation scene.
Joanna moved to Wales in 1985 and founded Beryl Productions shortly afterwards with her partner, producer/writer Les Mills. The couple have collaborated closely in the production of animated films and as educators ever since.
She has won over 90 international awards, including Emmys, Baftas and jury prizes at all the major animation festivals. Two of her films, Famous Fred (1996) and The Wife of Bath (1998) received Oscar nominations. Her film, Britannia won her the prestigious Leonardo Da Vinci award in 1993.
Joanna has been honoured with retrospectives of her work in all over the world including Rome, Rio de Janeiro, New York and Taiwan. 2008 saw the culmination of her work in an exhibition called ‘Drawings that Move’, curated by Michael Harvey at the National Media Museum in Bradford.
Joanna Quinn said: “I’m a proud Middlesex graduate and as such nothing could mean more to me that to be awarded an honorary doctorate from my own university. My time on the BA Graphic Course at Middlesex was truly inspirational and the more I travel and visit colleges all over the world, the more I realise what a great art education I got. Thank you Middlesex for the great honour of being awarded this doctorate.”
Middlesex University Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Driscoll said: “As an alumna of Middlesex University we are particularly proud of Joanna’s achievements in the animation world, and the sheer number of international awards she has won demonstrates what a talent she is. Welcoming her back to Middlesex for this much deserved honorary degree is a great moment for the University and our students.”
Joanna is now working on a new film, Dreams & Desires – Affairs of the Art.