We’re always keen here at Broken Frontier to support community efforts that take small press comics and creators to new audiences. So when Dirty Rotten Comics team member Tom Mortimer asked us last year to push his five-day event at Winchester School of Art we were more than happy to lend our backing and our name to it.
Over the five days it runs, Mortimer has put together a fantastic line-up of activities, talks, exhibitions, stalls and workshops featuring a number of Broken Frontier-championed creators including BF ‘Six to Watch’-ers Brigid Deacon and Danny Noble, as well as Wallis Eates, Gareth Brookes, Dirty Rotten Comics, Olivia Sullivan and many more.
Designed to underscore the healthy state of self-publishing in the UK the ‘Small Press: Independent Comics and Self-Publishing’ event is the perfect taster for those new to the scene and a welcome reminder of the depth of talent we have in the UK in 2016 for anyone more familiar with the state of British self-publishing. You can also buy a copy of the Broken Frontier Small Press Yearbook there if you’ve yet to enjoy the magic of its pages.
The full press release from Tom Mortimer is included below and a full list of event timings can be found here…
Press Release
From the 24th to the 28th October, Winchester Gallery – part of Winchester School of Art – will be hosting a packed five-day event of exhibits, activities, stalls and talks about the ever-inspiring world of small press and independent comic making.
This event was set up as an introduction and entry point to small press for students and visitors, as well as to celebrate its growing and ongoing achievements.
Artists include…
Alternative Press (Dimitri Pieri) – Exhibiting, Activity
Dimitri has been taking submissions through an open call, and along with students will put together an exhibition for the event. This acts as an opportunity for those who’ve felt locked out of galleries to gain an entry point, as well as show off the wide array of talent available.
Find out about the work of the Alternative Press here
Follow Alternative Press on Twitter here
Brigid Deacon
Brigid is on Broken Frontier’s 2016 ‘Six Small Press Creators to Watch’ list and has featured in anthologies such as Eyeball Comix, Bimba, Save Our Souls, Off Life and Identity. Her solo comics include Coma Deep and Room.
Read a review of Brigid Deacon’s work here
Follow her on Twitter here
Danny Noble – Stall
Contributor and cover artist for the Broken Frontier Small Press Yearbook 2016 and listed as a BF ‘Six UK Small Press Creators to Watch’ artist in 2015. Danny Noble has also featured in Dirty Rotten Comics, crafted a long-running series of strips featuring her Ollie & Alan characters, and performed as part of the band The Meow Meows. During the event, she’ll be offering a selection of her wares, participating in the ‘6 minute comics activity’ and more.
Read an interview with Danny Noble here
Read a review of Danny Noble’s work here
Follow her on Twitter here
Dilraj Mann
The Dalston-based artist’s work has been featured in Island and kuš! comics’ š! anthology.
Follow Dilraj Mann on Twitter here
Dirty Rotten Comics / Throwaway Press – ‘6 minute comics’ Activity and Stall
Kirk Campbell and Gary Clap, are the brilliant minds behind the now established small press anthology Dirty Rotten Comics. The publications offer a demonstration of potential comics hold, as well an entry point for newcomers. As part of this event, the team will co-host a fun activity enjoyed by many at events such as “drink and draws”, designed to spark off and jot down, the initial visual thoughts and core drives.
Read an interview with the Dirty Rotten Comics team here
Read a review of Dirty Rotten Comics here
Follow Dirty Rotten Comics on Twitter here
Gareth Brookes – Exhibition of work from The Black Project, Stall, Talk
Thought of by many as a Godfather of UK small press, Brookes will delight with an exhibition of linoprints and embroidery stitchings from his famous (possibly infamous) Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition-winning The Black Project. He will also be appearing on the Friday to give a talk, drawing from his years of experience.
Read a review of The Black Project here
Follow Gareth Brookes on Twitter here
Henry & Stanley Miller – Stall
A father and son duo, but with each their own approach and practice. One thing the Millers share is a raw quality that gets right to the heart of the small press aesthetic.
Read a review of Stanley Miller’s work here. You can visit Henry’s site here and Stanley’s here.
Follow Henry Miller on Twitter here and Stanley Miller here
Laydeez do Comics – Symposium
Laydeez do Comics is a forum of creators, with particular focus on life narratives. Co-organisers Rachael Ball and Wallis Eates host a symposium discussion about female comic creators.
Visit the Laydeez do Comics site here
Follow Laydeez do Comics on Twitter here
Olivia Sullivan – Stall
Perhaps best known for her shorts in Dirty Rotten Comics, Sullivan (otherwise known as Zen Bucko) has made a bold entry into the UK small press scene. She’ll have copies of The Nose and I Drank Holy Water with her.
Read a review of Olivia Sullivan’s work here
Follow Olivia Sullivan on Twitter here
Rachael Ball – Stall
A cartoonist and art teacher, perhaps best known for The Inflatable Woman, which was listed by The Guardian in their top Graphic Novels of 2015. Ball will be co-chairing the Laydeez do Comics symposium.
Visit Rachael Ball’s site here
Follow Rachael Ball on Twitter here
Samuel C. Williams – Talk
Not afraid to tackle topics of emotional depth, including the loss of a parent and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in At War with Yourself. Williams can deliver stories that are both sensitive and informative. At this event, he will be treating visitors to an insightful talk about putting ideas to paper.
Read a review of Samuel C. Williams’ work here
Read an interview with Samuel C. Williams and Good Comics here
You can follow Samuel C. Williams on Twitter here
Gareth Hopkins – Talk (Kickstarter)
The artist behind the ongoing abstract comic project, Intercorstal. Hopkins will be offering an insight into the process behind his most recent successful Kickstarter.
Follow Gareth Hopkins on Twitter here
Tom Mortimer – Co-curating
Assembling the week of events is Tom Mortimer who is known predominantly in the UK small press scene for his work with and in Dirty Rotten Comics.
Read a review of Tom Mortimer’s work here
You can follow Tom Mortimer on Twitter here
Wallis Eates – Stall
An artist and comics creator with a particular talent for the autobiographical and creatively crafted memories. Her graphic-novel-in-progress Mumoirs was shortlisted for the Myriad Editions First Graphic Novel Competition 2014 . Eates will also be co-chairing the Laydeez do Comics Symposium.
Read an interview with Wallis Eates here
Read a review of Wallis Eates’s work here
Follow Wallis Eates on Twitter here
Winchester School of Art Comic Club – Stalls, Activities
Led by graphic artist and lecturer Kieron Baroutchi, students of Winchester School of Art offer an insight into the medium. Hoping to share both their passionate and the fruits of their own explorations.
Visit the Winchester School of Art Comic Club’s site here
For more on the event join the Facebook group here and see a full listing of events and times here.
For regular updates on all things small press follow Andy Oliver on Twitter here.
