Here’s some pictures of two free exhibitions at this year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival, taking place this weekend. The first pictures are from “Making a Scene” by top comics artist Ken Niimura and it’s on at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. Ken is also a guest at the event, which runs until Sunday.
Ken was winner of the Golden Prize in the 5th International Manga Award and was nominated for both Eisner and Eagle Awards for his work on I Kill Giants, created in collaboration with fellow Festival guest Joe Kelly. His illustration book Zero reveals both a rare and diverse talent, while Travelling and Henshin, both short story collections, display that intoxicating combination of fine art and strong storyline.
Born in Spain and currently living and working in Tokyo, Ken has a foot in both the European and Japanese comic art worlds creating an exciting fusion of traditions and styles whilst conjuring up something seemingly unique. This exhibition features original art, brought to life through annotations and additional sketches on the walls of the Gallery.
“Let me show you a selection of scenes where the unexpected lurks at the turn of each page and around each corner,” says Ken. “This exhibition features original art from comics such as I Kill Giants and Henshin, for which I am best known, as well as work I have done for Marvel and DC Comics and some unreleased work too”.
Also on until 7th November, and also in the Brewery is the “Young, Talented And Beautiful – Five Rising Stars from Japan” exhibition
Handpicked for their distinctive voices by comic artist Ken Niimura, these five rising stars from Japan bring their artwork to the UK for the first time.
Art from the “Young, Talented And Beautiful – Five Rising Stars from Japan” exhibition
Est Em, Takehito Moriizumi, Tsuchika Nishimura, Keigo Shinzo and Miki Yamamoto are some of the most acclaimed an interesting authors of the new generation of manga artists, sharing a common interest in depicting the daily life in nowadays Japan through a combination of unique art and a very personal narrative.
The exhibition, which runs until 7th November 2016, is presented in partnership with The Brewery Arts Centre and The Japan Foundation with support from MTP Media.
There’s an additional opportunity to meet Ken Niimura and Miki Yamamoto in London immediately after the Festival, made possible by partner The Japan Foundation. Ken and Miki will present their work and be in conversation with Paul Gravett at Foyles (Bookshop), 107 Charing Road, London WC2H 0DT on Monday 17th October at 6.30pm on 6th Floor. This event is free to attend but booking is essential. To book your place via Eventbrite, visit: manga-the-new-generation.eventbrite.co.uk
• Festival web site: www.comicartfestival.com
• More information about the London event here on The Japan Foundation web site
All photos by and © Becca Larkin
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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.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions
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