The Graphic Novel World of Metaphrog exhibition, highlighting the award-winning work of comic creators Sandra Marrs and John Chalmers, is heading to Carnegie Library in Ayr next month.
Launching on Friday 10th November 2023 from 2.00pm to 3.00pm, where the hugely talented duo will be attending to say a few words of welcome, if you’re in the area, don’t miss out.
The exhibition originally started at The Park Gallery in Callendar House in 2022. This showing at Carnegie Library is launched as part of Book Week Scotland 2023, an annual celebration of books and reading organised by the Scottish Book Trust, that takes place across the country, taking place this year between 13–19th November, supported by Creative Scotland and SLIC.
Metaphrog are Franco-Scottish duo John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, author and illustrator of children’s graphic novels. They are winners of the Sunday Herald Scottish Culture Awards Best Visual Artist 2016, have received multiple Eisner Award nominations and critical acclaim worldwide, and have appeared at many international festivals. They live in Glasgow.
The exhibition features illustrations from their comics and graphic novels, which include adaptations of poetry, fairy tales, and comic book stories, making it appealing for the whole family. There are 55 pieces of original art, prints, and artifacts on show, as well as artwork.
Their latest graphic novels are Freya and Harris and Grace, published under the Collins Big Cat imprint, the latter a fresh take on Hansel and Gretel, set in Scotland, with an environmental twist. Collins’ new series of contemporary fairy tales aim to challenge the conventions of gender, ethnicity and agency.
In Freya, when her father dies, she stands to become clan chief, but her wicked cousin Ranald wants the position for himself! Can Freya escape the angry mob – and legendary underwater monster – and get to freedom?
Both books have been published under the names John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, instead of Metaphrog.
• The Graphic Novel World of Metaphrog runs from 11th November 2023 – 4 February 2024, Carnegie Library, 12 Main Street Ayr KA8 8EB | Entry is free | Library Web Site
• Visit their official website and sign up for the Metaphrog newsletter: metaphrog.com/newsletter/
• Follow Metaphrog on Facebook | Instagram | X |
With thanks to Jeremy Briggs for the heads up
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: British Comics, Comic Art, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions
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