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Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s From Ink to Action comic anthology launches at COP28

By John Freeman on December 6, 2023

Lakes International Comic Art Festival and the British Council - From Ink to Action

After running comics workshops in Qatar, supported by the British Council, the Arts Council England funded Lakes International Comic Art Festival are now launching the exciting From Ink to Action anthology, featuring comics creators from across the Middle East and North Africa, at COP 28 in Dubai.

An exhibition of work by twelve comic artists will run from Friday 8th to Friday 22nd December, in Alserkal Avenue, which is bringing together artists, change-makers, and the climate curious on the occasion of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28, 30th November to 12th December), creating a conscious space for sustainable development and cultural innovation.

From Ink to Action is a collaboration between the Lake International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) and the British Council (MENA), seeking to inspire environmental consciousness through the power of comic art.

In April 2023, twelve creators from Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria were commissioned to produce new comics that address pressing issues related to the climate crisis and environmental threats. From Ink to Action will exhibit these commissioned comic books, in an attempt to reach diverse audiences, inviting them to engage, reflect, and join the global movement for environmental conservation.

The artists are Mehdi Annasi, Tracy Chahwan, Zainab Fasiki, Noha Habaieb, Bernard Hage (Art of Boo), Mai Koraiem, Lena Merhej, Fouad Mezher, Seif Eddine Nechi, Mo Salah, Shennawy and Salim Zerrouki.

Scenographed by Rabih Koussa and Nabil Farhat, the installation is monomaterial and environmentally conscious, made entirely of 100% recycled plastic sheets with easily assembled and flat-packed modular design.

The exhibition will also feature videos created by Sama Beydoun and Alex Abdallah, providing an immersive experience of the artists’ perspectives on climate realities.

Alongside the exhibition, the Parallel Programme will cater to both youth, academic, and professional audiences.

On 7th December, from 3.00 – 6.00pm Mehdi Annassi, one of the participating artists, will be running a kids workshop at Thejamjar across three days, that aims to create a three-panel story around climate change.

On 10th December, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival director Julie Tait, alongside featured artists, Lena Merhej and Mehdi Annassi, will have a dialogue session exploring the significance and influence of comic art in addressing crucial issues.

• The From Ink to Action exhibition will run from 9th to 22nd December from 10.00 to 6.00pm, in warehouse 58 | Full details here: alserkal.online/event/from-ink-to-action-comic-initiative

• For more information about From Ink to Action visit: 10yearstosavetheworld.com/from-ink-to-action

FESTIVAL DATES: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival returns to Bowness-on-Windermere Friday 27th – Sunday 29th September 2024

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.