Launch Recite Me assistive technology

Jean Jullien publishes first monograph, Modern Life, with foreword by Jesse Eisenberg

—
Date
11 January 2017
An illustration for the book “Modern Life” by Jean Jullien. A figure is wrapped in white cables that connect them to various electronic devices, as they reach towards a smartphone on a black plinth.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

Jean Jullien’s first monograph, Modern Life, has been published by teNeues, with a foreword by actor Jesse Eisenberg. Jean illustrated the cover and internal images for Jesse’s 2015 fiction book Bream Gives Me Hiccups: And Other Stories.

Modern Life brings together over 150 of Jean’s illustrations gathered from his editorial commissions and Instagram posts. The theme tying the book together is his satirical view on contemporary culture, exemplified by the cover illustration of a man bound by iPhone cables trying desperately to reach another device. From comments on self image to the joy of Fridays, the book celebrates the work of the hugely successful illustrator and his flair for depicting the familiar in a wry, charismatic way.

“Jean uncovers the humour and simple beauty that exists in the people, places, and things that surround him,” says teNeues. “Understanding that visual communication can often be the most direct and immediately understood, [he] cleverly and candidly reveals in his artwork the hilarious realities and universal truths of human behaviour and modern life that connect us all.”

The 160-page, hardback book is €24.90, available now. Read our interview with Jean here.

An illustration of two figures standing side by side against a grey background. One wears a black top and the other a white top, with their bodies merging into a single, rounded shape.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of a person in white underwear standing beside a laundry basket. They hold up an orange garment while text above reads “FRIDAY OUTFIT PICKING”.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of a bald person whose body is shaped like a giant burger. They hold a large patty in their hands, with lettuce and a bun forming their torso and legs.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of a person in black clothing leaning against a red telephone box. They hold a mobile phone to their ear, while the box above them reads “TELEPHONE”.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

A glowing light bulb serves as the head of a hand-drawn figure on a white wall. The figure wears a collared shirt and raises one finger as if having an idea.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of a glass of beer against a pink background. The glass features a black oval label that reads “Fridays”, while a small, unclothed figure leaps into the foam from above.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

A person holds a smartphone with a cracked screen. An illustration on the display shows a figure punching upwards, with the cracks in the glass radiating from the point of impact.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of a reddish-brown figure looking out of a square window. Through the opening, a sunny beach and blue ocean waves are visible.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of several rows of people standing together on a black background. Bold, peach-coloured text laid over the figures reads “YOU, ME AND MY FOLLOWERS”.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

An illustration of the Statue of Liberty in pale green against a solid red background. The figure is looking down, holding a smartphone in their hand.
Above

Jean Jullien: Modern Life

Share Article

About the Author

Jenny Brewer

—

Jenny oversees editorial output across It’s Nice That. Get in touch with writing pitches for features or opinion pieces, big creative story tips, or questions about all things editorial. jb@itsnicethat.com

To submit your work to be featured on the site, please see our Submissions Guide.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.