Three Words is an anthology of New Zealand women’s comics. Due for release mid-2015, the book aims to make New Zealand women comic artists and their work more visible; and to foster a sense of community through the process of its production.
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New Zealand has a rich and vibrant comics scene. Mainstream publications have recently tried to document this, but have predominantly focused on men’s comics; tending to emphasize a small number of professional high-profile male artists who advocate for a particular aesthetic and approach to comics. These books have had the effect of simultaneously generating interest in New Zealand comics, while highlighting the invisibility of women’s comics made here.
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Many New Zealand women have in fact made comics over the years, although it’s often hard to find their work. There are a number of related and self-perpetuating reasons for this; the historic male-dominated nature of the comics industry generally; women’s poor representation in anthologies and the kinds of books just described; the limited support by established publishers; and the ephemeral ‘home made’ nature of the comics publishing that has occurred. Many women artists also stop making comics after only a short period.
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We believe the lack of both recognition and sense of community for women comic artists in New Zealand are significant. Three Words works to help redress both of these issues.
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The book is being edited by Rae Joyce, Sarah Laing, and Indira Neville, three experienced comic-makers who come from a variety of perspectives. In developing the book the editors contacted as many New Zealand women comics artists as they could, inviting them both to submit and to be part of a social media community. Both approaches have been incredibly successful; the book features 63 diverse and amazing women artists, and the Facebook group (not confined to the book’s contributors) has become a popular and thriving space and catalyst for the discussion of comics and gender-related issues.
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Three Word’s ‘community-building’ aspect was also recognised by Creative New Zealand who provided the project with a significant grant. This grant will be used to pay contributors for their work. Three Words is apparently the first New Zealand comics anthology to ever do this.
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Artists included in the book come from a variety of communities and backgrounds. This is reflected in the works themselves which range from highly finished professional pieces to comics-influenced fine art, and editorial, experimental works. There are also single panels, strips, and longer narratives in colour and black and white. Artists include Sharon Murdoch, Susan Te Kahurangi King, Kerry Ann Lee, Margaret Silverwood, Olga Krause, Susan Rugg, Coco Solid, Mary Tamblyn, Judy Darragh, Adele Jackson, Pritika Lal, Renee Jones, and Debra Boyask, but there are many more. Artist profiles and work examples are provided on the Three Words blog.
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The book’s unity will be achieved through a unique “three words” concept. Contributors have submitted works of their own choosing, but alongside this they send in three words (any words!) These words are given to another artist to interpret in a single strip comic. This concept provides an opportunity for collaboration and for the creation of brand new pieces. Its constraints also make for a compelling and collaborative motif that will run throughout the book.
Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, Your Face Is In My Comic Book, 2014, Batik painting on cotton, 101 x 156 cm
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You are cordially invited to
Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono: Batikkomik
Exhibition Opening: Friday 31 October, 6.30 – 9 pm Main Gallery n
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Equator Art Projects is pleased to present the first solo exhibition by Indonesian artist, Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono, in Singapore. For his upcoming show, Bambang Toko has produced a new series of work experimenting with the techniques of traditional batik making.
A well-recognised figure in contemporary Indonesian art, Bambang Toko is an artist, curator, educator and also one of the founding members of the artist collective, Apotik Komik (Comic Pharmacy). He is known for his bright, graphic style which references imagery from vintage Indonesian comics and pop culture. Reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein’s comic strip paintings, the forms within the composition are built up through flat expanses of vivid colour and are highlighted with solid black outlines, achieving a stenciled effect. On occasion, text is incorporated into the composition through the use of a speech bubble. These works are fused with playful narratives and filled with tongue-in-cheek humour.
For this exhibition, Bambang Toko will present a selection of batik paintings on both cotton and plywood. These new works reveal a shift in Bambang Toko’s artistic practice and are an exploration of new materials, as well as the potential of batik as a medium for painting.
Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono (b. 1973, Yogyakarta – Indonesia) graduated with a BFA in Printmaking from Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Yogyakarta, where he has been a lecturer since 1999. He later completed his MFA at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in 2004. Bambang has participated in artist residency programmes in Liechtenstein (2003), New Delhi (2006) and Darwin (2008). He has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Indonesia and abroad. Selected solo shows are Jakarta Art District (2010); Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur (2009); Darwin Visual Art Association, Darwin (2008); Toimoi Art + Design Gallery, Jakarta (2007) and Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta (2001). He has participated in a plethora of group exhibitions at mo_space, Manila (2014); Nasional Galeri Indonesia, Jakarta (2013); Piccadily Place, Manchester (2011); Biennale Jogja X (2009), Langgeng Gallery, Magelang (2008); Valentine Willie Gallery, Singapore (2008) and Selasar Sunaryo, Bandung (2007). The artist lives and works in Yogyakarta.
Squishface Studio and heavy friends join forces to create a FREE 48 page comic book about Brunswick! The book will be available at several places in the City of Moreland, but the launch (part of MoreArt) is SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER at the Mechanics Institute (next to the Retreat Hotel, Brunswick) from 2:30pm!
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Get your free copy and celebrate the fact that the City of Moreland is either, depending on your point of view, a “dangerous loony activist council” or “a place where people get to speak their minds and make good art”. Squishzine Brunstown: launch of our free comic book
Featuring work by Arran McKenna, Marta Tesoro, Nadia Toukhsati, Jase Harper, Scott Reid, Jess Parker, Ive Sorocuk, Martin Nixon, Lauren Hills, Ele Jenkins, Alex Clark, Teags Humm, Sam Wallman, Sarah Howell, Michael Fikaris, Gregory Mackay, David Blumenstein, Ben Hutchings and Jo Waite!
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Get your free copy and celebrate the fact that the City of Moreland is either, depending on your point of view, a “dangerous loony activist council” or “a place where people get to speak their minds and make good art”. Can’t make it to the launch? Get your copy at the following venues in November: Squishface Studio, 309 Victoria St, Brunswick Brunswick Library Coburg Library Brunswick Station Jewell Station Gowrie Station Coburg Station
