Comix are distinguishable from Comics in the fact that they are intended for a mature audience. The content involved in making Comix is much more sexual, promiscuous or political in nature. The term was just a respelling of the word Comics, and got their start in 1960’s, where specific titles such as Zap Comix, which was published by R. Crumb in 1968.
This week, we met at Central Saint Martins, where we paid a visit to The House of Illustration, which is located right next to the school. The current exhibition was of Comix Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics.
The exhibition was interesting given the struggle many female graphic artists (or just female artists in general) face when trying to make their name in the industry: being overshadowed by the more well-known male artists. Just being in the space shed more light on and brought a more real-time realization of the male dominated world we live in, not just in art, but in sports, politics, literature and just general lifestyles. This also highlighted the progress women graphic artists are making in their field, with many artists making their name with a whole different range of art styles and stories.
The interesting part I realised was the range of different works I saw from all the different artists on display at the exhibition, with almost every type of story under their belt. Philippa Rice for example, is a multi-talented artist who, in her book ‘Soppy‘ (2014) wonderfully illustrates the everyday quiet moments of import that occur in a relationship. She takes the ‘mundane’ dwellings of everyday life and makes it look alive and animated.
An illustration from Soppy
What stood out the most to me in the exhibition was the artwork dedicated to victims of abuse, harassment and social/cultural norms women are expected to live by and at the same time oppressed by. Becoming Unbecoming was a graphic narrative we had mentioned briefly in class, but seeing it at Comix Creatrix pushed me more towards reading it.
Kaveri Gopalakrishnan is another female illustrator, who quite hilariously outlines some of the struggles women (especially in India) have to face due to the large male-dominated society. She also illustrated habits some women have to adopt just to avoid sexual harassment.
Kaveri Gopalakrishnan: ‘Apocalyptic Scenarios of Modern Decline’ (2016)
Kaveri Gopalakrishnan: ‘Before You Step Out’ (2015)
As a female artist, seeing the work of all the 100 women in the gallery was quite inspiring to see. For decades, the world of comic books has been dominated by male artists, and for the most part still is, but brings to realisation that the attention is shifting and so many female artists are now having their time in the limelight.
Eman Khan * CTS 