Five reasons to attend Graphic Contents at the Emerging Writers' Festival
This Thursday night
1. You like to get a little bit naughty.
Anything goes when Graphic Contents takes over Bella Union for one night. Expect to be challenged, offended and aroused by artwork that pushes all your buttons. This artwork is a far cry from the pleasant picture book illustrations, and the artists will explore topics ranging from taboo, to provocative, to sexy.
2. You need some advice.
Unlucky in love? Lost and directionless in life? Searching for an explanation of what it all means? The Advice Comics collective are a collection of artistic-minded agony aunts who will answer your questions with illustrated graphic advice. Personalised advice from artists including Katie Parrish, Marc Pearson and Michael Hawkins will be projected on the night, and askers will receive the original artwork of their response to keep.
(See examples of previous questions and responses on the Advice Comics Tumblr.)
3. You want to get your boogie on.
With a banging DJ set from Game Girl (Jess Hopcraft), you’ll be itching to dance out all that energy that comes from an overload of art and creativity. Game Girl’s set will be custom-matched with animations to stimulate your senses.
4. You’re a zine-maker or comic artist.
Bring your zines, comic books, journals and mags on the night to swap at the Zine Swap Stall. This is a space for all things self-made, underground and DIY. Connect with other artists, share your work and be inspired. Celebrate the rich underground art and illustration scene with likeminded artists, and discover your new favourite zine.
5. You love art – any art.
Seems obvious, right? But the best thing about Graphic Contents is that whatever your tastes, there’s an artist to fit. The full spectrum of visual art mediums will be projected on the big screen, and accompanied by music, dialogue or narration. Look out for animalistic funny business (Ivan Dixon), genius comic strips (Simon Hanselmann), layered video (Elwyn Murray and Kat Muscat), meandering, melancholy beauty (Katie Parrish and Andrew Connor), beautiful mixed-media collage (Anna Dunnill), stark and surprising narrative art (Cameron Baker), and unconventional drawn/video collaboration (Joanna Anderson and Chris O’Brien).