“The illustration scene in Australia? I’m still looking for it.” So quips Scotland-born, Brisbane-based illustrator Eddie Campbell. Which is rather, ahem, comical, considering he’s taking part in Graphic; a two-day festival set to pack a super-hero sized punch. With animation, illustration, talks, workshops, music and multimedia on the bill the real difficulty will be choosing where not to look.
Topping the bill is cult anti-hero Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats) and Neil Gaiman (of Coraline fame). Gary Groth of indie publishers Fantagraphics (artists include Robert Crumb and Daniel Clowes) is to take part in a panel discussion, while Australian illustrator Shaun Tan’s The Arrival will be treated to a musical scoring by Ben Walsh’s Orkestra of the Underground. Classic anime Akira will also be overlaid with a live soundtrack by the warped art-poppers, Regurgitator. Lead singer Quan Yeomans warns, “It’s gonna be really loud … kind of like an anime boys wet dream.”
Although the festival has, “Certainly brought out all the closet comic book nerds!” laughs curator Virginia Hyam, it’s not just for the bedroom geeks and Comic-Con die-hards. “We are unearthing the mythmakers of the modern world,” says Hyam. As many graphic novels, comic books, animes and fantasy stories are increasingly crossing over into the mainstream, it seems timely. “It’s been totally embraced by the broader culture. So it needs a platform so it can stand up with all the other arts.” The first of what Hyam hopes to be a yearly institution, the aim of Graphic is to be as industry-facing as possible. Elements like the Screen NSW prize to the tune of $20,000 for a lucky – and talented – animator; as well as hands-on, ink-splattered workshops run by some of our best new illustrators and writers – are there to build capacity, and a sense of community.
Which leads back to lone cowboy Campbell. “It’s quite an isolating world in some ways isn’t it?” says Hyam of the remark, “It’s not like standing on a stage and being a musician – that’s what’s exciting, being able to bring these people together.” The idea took seed in 2007 when a specially-curated show around comic artist Jim Woodring (Frank & Jim) took place at the Opera House. It was a success, and as the communities worldwide and locally built momentum, it seemed like an opportunity existed to, “Make a really big statement, recognising how important it is within our popular culture.” Even if you’ve never picked up a comic book, no doubt you’ve watched an animation; or even read a children’s book.
Multi-award winning artist Shaun Tan’s books tread the delicate line between art, mainstream popularity, commercial success and cultural cache. His acclaimed graphic novel The Arrival is the text-less tale of an immigrant seeking a better life; while its themes are complex, it is often found in the kids’ section along with The Rabbits (written by John Marsden), The Lost Thing and The Red Tree. In a festival of hip-slinging, grungy graphic artists, Tan is the soft touch. He says of how his fans ‘read’ his heartbreakingly beautiful images, “I think the surrealism of the universe means that you have to look inwardly for the truly recognisable content, that is, your emotional empathy with the nameless characters in the face of conceptual displacement. In that sense, each strange sequence holds up a kind of mirror to a reader’s personal experience, demanding private interpretation.”
And therein lies the key to comic art’s compelling nature. Behind each superhero, every action sequence, and even most surly illustrator’s bravado, is a real story. A personal experience, made universal, even supernatural. Look no further, Sydney. Graphic has arrived.
Aug 7-8, Sydney Opera House, free-$80, 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com/graphic
BY ANGELA BENNETTS
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