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SURVIVAL KIT 14, Ghost Congress
Exhibition, Art Festival Survival Kit, Vidzeme Market, Brivibas street 90, Riga, 07.09.-08.10.23
Kuš! is part of the group exhibition Long-Distance Friendships curated by Inga Lāce and Alicia Knock. Our contribution will center around ghosts from the past with works created by Anna Malicka (Latvia), Isaac Zavale (Mozambique), Luntu Vumazonke (South Africa), Mārtiņš Zutis (Latvia), and Oskars Pavlovskis (Latvia). And of course featuring our special new issue š! #48 'Ghosts' with more artists from across Africa and from the Baltics.
Ghost comic workshops with Anna Malicka and Mārtiņš Zutis during White Night (09.09.23) at 8pm and 10pm next to the kuš! Ghost Congress!
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Comicfestival Hamburg
Comic Festival, Kölibri, Hein-Köllisch-Platz 12, Hamburg, Germany, 28.09.-01.10.2023
Kuš! is a guest at Comicfestival Hamburg! Latvian artist Zane Zlemeša is representing us there and will have a very big selection of our books on offer along her own publications and prints! Also make sure to visit the exhibition "Bitte übersetzen!" in which Zane Zlemeša along Tereza Šiklovà, Conxita Herrero Delfa, and Léopold Prudon showcase their comics!
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TCBF
Festival, TCBF, Mostra Mercato, Treviso, Italy, 30.09-01.10.2023
Ciao tutti! We're very happy to return to Treviso Comic Book Festival to celebrate their 20th annivarsary! Kuš! editor David Schilter will be there presenting and selling a fine selection of kuš! publications and Anna Vaivare will have a selection of prints on offer!Support: Latvian Literature
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Eagle Warrior: The Art of Julio Camarena
Exhibition, National Library of Latvia, Riga, 27.10.2023-13.01.2024
This exhibition explores the work of Mexican comic artist Julio Camarena Peréz, whose drawings were distinguished by their lyrical quality and volumetric style, setting them apart from the sometimes crude work of his contemporaries in 1970's Mexico. Original drawings, books (Micro Leyendas), and other paraphernalia make up this exclusive show of this long forgotten artist. There is also the chance to watch the acclained documentary short about Camarena, 'The Grotto of Death'.
Curator: Christopher Sperandio
Support: Produced with support from the Dean of the School of Humanities at Rice University, National Library of Latvia
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FRAME
Festival, FRAME, Theatre X10, Prague, Czechya, 04.-05.11.2023
Kuš! will be at FRAME Prague Comics Art Festival! There will be a kuš! table with many many books. Kuš! editor David Schilter will have a short presentation about small press publishing and Anna Vaivare will hold two comics workshops! This is going to be fun! -
With A Little Help From My Friends
Exhibition, Agenskalns market, 2nd floor, Riga, 16.08.2023 - 17.09.2023
In the framework of the project “With a Little Help from My Friends”, kuš!, in collaboration with Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, hosted a three-day workshop with artists from Ukraine and Latvia - Anna Sarvira, Bohdana Zaiats, Zhenya Oliinyk, Zlata Novykova, Jana Ribkina, and Rebeka Lukošus – as well as young local artists who participated. In the workshop, the artists exchanged experiences and idea regarding illustration and comics, showing off some of their skills and even getting to experiment with new techniques. The physical result of this collaboration between Ukrainian and Latvian artists are 17 new banners, which will be displayed in the Āgenskals market from 16.08 to 17.09. The artists of the banners are the above mentioned workshop leaders and the participants: Anna Vaivare, Betija Jakaite, Herta Balode, Hoder, Inga Ziemele, Jurijs Tatarkins, Katrīna Sadovnikova, Ksenya Tarasova, Madara Krēziņa and Xozusia.
16.08.2023, 5pm opening
This exhibition is part of the project 'With a Little Help from My Friends' organized by kuš! in collaboration with Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia. Supported by The Nordic House — Reykjavik, Pauls Stradiņš Medicine History Museum, and Āgenskalna tirgus. In the framework of this project, there are also three artist residencies for Ukrainian artists, comics and drawing workshops for kids, and a book.
Photos by Paula Terehova -
With a Little Helps from My Friends
Workshops, Residencies, Exhibitons, Artist talks, Riga, Summer 2023
'With a Little Help from My Friends' is a Ukrainian - Baltic Art exchange and education project organized by kuš! in collaboration with Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia. Supported by The Nordic House — Reykjavik. In the framework of this project there will be an illustration workshop, three artist residencies for Ukrainian artists, artist talks, comics and drawing workshops for kids, a book, and an exhibition!
The opening event of the project is a public artist talk by three outstanding Ukrainian comic artists and illustrators. Anna Sarvira, Bohdana Zaiats, and Zhenya Oliinyk will give an insight how they create comics and illustrations during the Russian invasion. 27.06.2023, 18:00, at the Norden office - FB Event
Illustration by Anna Sarvira
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Forest Stories
Exhibition, Goethe Institut Riga, Marijas iela 13 k-1, Riga, 09.02.2023 - 31.12.2023
The results of our forest-themed comics workshop with Michel Esselbrügge in cooperation with the Goethe Institut Riga are on now on display in the window gallery of the Institute!
The participating artists created comics about the forest: Michel Esselbrügge, Alberta Ziemele, AmandaJ-Art, Jurjis Tatarkins, Krista Bitmete, Lote Vilma Vītiņa, Magdalena Kaszuba, Mārtiņš Zutis, Noorie Fisher, Rebeka Lukošus, Richard Thompson, Rūta Kygaitė, Sabīne Moore, Stas Bashilov, and Zlata Novikova. The results are printed by risograph and are also available there available to read in the special poster book!
The comics of the exhibition can also be viewed online here!
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Meža Stāsti
Exhibition Tour, Libraries and Cultural Venues around Latvia, 13.03.2023 - 20.10.2024
The results of our forest-themed comics workshop with Michel Esselbrügge in cooperation with the Goethe Institut Riga are on tour throughout Latvia.
The exhibition will be shown in 2023 in Salaspils novada bibliotēka (March, April), Balvu Centrālā bibliotēka (May, June), Latgales Centrālā bibliotēka, Daugavpils (July), Lūznavas muiža (August, September), Kuldīgas Galvenā bibliotēka (October, November), Stendes bibliotēka (December, January) and tour even further in 2024 to Talsu galvenā bibliotēka (February, March), Liepājas Centrālajā zinātniskajā bibliotēkā (May), Staiceles pilsētas bibliotēka (June), Preiļu Galvenā bibliotēka (September, October).
Artists from Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia created comics about and inspired by the forest: Michel Esselbrügge, Alberta Ziemele, AmandaJ-Art, Jurijs Tatarkins, Krista Bitmete, Lote Vilma Vītiņa, Magdalena Kaszuba, Mārtiņš Zutis, Noorie Fisher, Rebeka Lukošus, Richard Thompson, Rūta Kygaitė, Sabīne Moore, Stas Bashilov, and Zlata Novikova. The results are printed by risograph!
The artists Jurijs Tatarkins and Rebeka Lukošus offer special workshops for kids and youngsters to bring the exhibition to live. If you are interested in the terms, just contact us.
The comics of the exhibition can also be viewed online here!
Illustration: Excerpt from Rebeka Lukošus' comic!
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Past Events
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MISS READ
Book Fair, MISS READ, HKW, Berlin, Germany, 22.-24.09.2023
Kuš! is a featured guest at the beloved Berlin Art Book Fair and Festival MISS READ! Latvian artist Līva Kandevica is representing us there and will have a very big selection of our books on offer! -
Pictobeach Bazar
Festival, PictoBeach, 72-02 Gouverneur Ave, Arverne, NY, USA, 16.09, 12am - 6pm
Back in the USA! Very excited to join the new festival PictoBeach Bazar at Rockaway Beach, just a short ride down from NYC. Kuš! editor David Schilter will be there presenting and selling a fine selection of kuš! publications and Līga Spunde will showcase a selection of her riso prints! Don't miss! Come and get some comics and take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean!
Illustration: Excerpt from the festival poster by Andrew Alexander -
Artist Talk - Alyona Yekimova, Michelle Kwon
Presentation, Bolderāja, Avotu iela 29, Riga, 13.09.2023, 19:00-21:00
Meet our current kuš! residents Alyona Yekimova (Ukraine) and Michelle Kwon (USA) and hear about their projects and find out more about their comics
Alyona Yekimova is a young artist from Ukraine currently based in Leipzig, Germany where she often makes comics and zine workshops for Ukrainian kids. She has a background in graphic design and recently studied illustration at the HGB, where she discovered and fell in love with comics. Her artist residency in Riga was made possible through the project "With a Little Help from My Friends" organized by kuš! and Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, supported by The Nordic House, Iceland.
Michelle Kwon is an illustrator/animator/comic book artist who totes many different hats. Her skillsets include illustration, comics, character design, environment design, 3D modeling, rigging, animating and storyboarding. She has worked for various animation/advertising studios including Cartoon Network, The Mill, JibJab, Elastic, and Universal Creative.Illustration: Michelle Kwon
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Ciara Quilty-Harper / Lemon Yellow
Exhibition, SĀBRS Festival, Galerija Istaba, Barona iela 31B, Riga, 06.07.-31.08.2023
At the exhibition, visitors will have the possibility to see the making of Ciara Quilty-Harper's book “Lemon Yellow,” released by kuš! in 2022. Notebooks, colour proofs and original works created before the book's release, as well as newly created works that have continued to create the subject of the book after its release will be on view.
Lemon Yellow is a book of over 70 hand-drawn illustrations and a trio of narratives on empathy and subjective responses to colour. Led through different houses, we follow disagreements between two people on their perceptions of a specific colour. Is 'The Dress' blue and black or white and gold?
Ciara Quilty-Harper is an English-Irish illustrator living in Barcelona. She works by hand and draws from life. Through cinematic framing and luminous colours, her drawings exude a hazy calm found in contemplative stillness. Ciara has worked for publications such as The New York Times, The New York Review of Books and Blackie Books.
Exhibition opening: 06.07, 6 pm
This project was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
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Artist talk: Janette Holmström, Jakub Plachý, Antony Reznik
Presentation, Bolderāja, Avotu iela 29, Riga, 23.08.2023, 19:00-21:00
Meet the ISSP artist-in-residence Janette Holmström, and kuš! artists-in-residence Jakub Plachý and Antony Reznik! The artists will introduce their work and present the projects they are working on while in residency in Riga.Janette Holmström works mainly with photography and sculpture-like elements, combining them with moving image and text. In addition to her own exhibitions, she has worked with public art, as a curator and been involved in various cultural associations promoting the visibility and communality of arts.Jakub Plachý is an artist living and working in Prague. He graduated at studio of illustration UMPRUM, Prague. He's an author of children picture books. Together with a couple of friends he's running XAO bookshop and gallery of illustration and picture books.Antony Reznik is a comics artist, art teacher, motion designer, and visual artist from Kharkiv, Ukraine. His artist residency in Riga was made possible through the project "With a Little Help from My Friends" organized by kuš! and Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia, supported by The Nordic House, Iceland.
Illustration by Jakub Plachý
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SĀBRS Festival
Zine Fair, SĀBRS Festival, Āgenskalns tirgus, Riga, 08-09.07.23, 11:00-18:00
Kuš! is very happy to take part at the SĀBRS Zine and Small Press Festival in Riga! Great place to meet local and international artists, take part in workshops,visit exhibitions, watch drawing performances, and browse books! Kuš! will have a table with all our newest books and maybe also some sold out rarieties. Come, and say čau!
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Bohdana Zaiats - Where are you running?
Workshop, SĀBRS Festival, Āgenskalns tirgus, Riga, 09.07.23, 13:00-14:30
Where are you running? The workshop will focus on collage and mixing as a method – working with our thoughts via text and drawing will form a basis for discussion on their use, re-use and meaning in creating. All materials will be providedBohdana Zaiats is a comic artist and illustrator. Currently studies at Philosophical Department of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) and at Kyiv Academy of Media Arts (Kama). Works published in Kuš! (Latvia), Strapazin (Switzerland) and Stripburger (Slovenia).This project was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Supported by The Nordic House — Reykjavik in the framework of the project "With a Little Help from My Friends” -
Postcards from the Future
Exhibition, Kalnciema Kvartāla Galerija, Riga, 11.05.2023 - 10.06.2023
In March 2023, the German comic artist Mia Oberländer gave a workshop at the Goethe-Institut in Riga with the theme “Postcards from the Future”. The participants imagined a Riga in the year 2043 and wrote postcards to each other. Based on these postcards, they drew comics under the guidance of Mia and talked about innovative, funny, or tragic visions of the future. After the workshop, the comics were printed in the form of huge postcards using the two-color risography technique. At the exhibition you'll have the opportunity to write and draw your own postcards from the future!
The authors of the oversized postcards are Mia Oberländer (DE), Alberta Ziemele (LV), Amālija Švarckopfa (LV), Amanda Jēkabsone (LV), Asuka Okajima (JP), Austėja Bukauskytė (LT), Betija Jakaite (LV), Elín Elísabeth Einarsdóttir (IS), Emir Akhasanoğlu (TR), Jana Ribkina (LV), Jurijs Tatarkins (LV), Justina Česnauskaitė (LT), Kristīne Martinova (LV), Lu Zwanziger (BR), Mārtiņš Zutis (LV), Noorie Fisher (LV), Paul Grassler (DE), Sabīne Moore (LV), Viktorija Ežiukas (LT) and Zlata Novikova (UA).
Open Mondays to Fridays from 10:00-18:00, Saturdays 10:00-16:00Opening reception 11.05.2023, 18:00
Supported by: Goethe-Institut Riga, Frank's Garage, Kalnciema kvartālsIllustration: Mia Oberländer
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Kuš! Europe Day Comics Workshop
Workshop, European Union House, Riga, 09.05.2023
In celebration of Europe Day Jurijs Tatarkins and Rebeka Lukošus hold a comic workshop. Everyone can join for free and also take part in the rest of the very broad cultural program at European Union House!
Illustration by Jurijs Tatarkins -
Comic Invasion Berlin
Comics Fair, Museum of Communication, Berlin, Germany, 06.-07.05.2023
Very happy to finally invade Comic Invasion Berlin! Kuš! will be at the comics fair presenting and selling a wide array of our newest books. Latvian artist Līva Kandevica will be representing us there. Go, say čau! -
Persistence - Oskars Pavlovskis
Exhibition, Kalnciema Kvartāla Galerija, Riga, 06.04.2023 - 06.05.2023
On April 6 at 18:00, the personal exhibition by Oskars Pavlovskis "Neatlaidība" (Persistence) will be opened in the Kalnciems quarter gallery space. The exhibition will feature Oskar Pavlovskis' latest works - persistently created sculptural creatures and paintings. The works of the exhibition were created when the artist deliberately distanced himself from the digital environment he was so used to, working with new techniques and being inspired by the material. The scenography of the exhibition was created together with the artist Liene Pavlovska.
Open Mondays to Fridays from 10:00-18:00, Saturdays 10:00-18:00
Organized by: Kuš! in cooperation with Biedrība "Nelatīdība" and Kalnciema Kvartāla Galerija
Supported by: KKF
Photos by: Aleksejs Beļeckis
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Comic Talks - Wynbrandt, Verron, Kesänen
Presentation, Bolderāja, Avotu iela 29, Riga, 20.04.2023, 19:00-21:00
The current kuš! residents Gina Wynbrandt, Valentin Verron, and Susanna Kesänen will give an insight into their works from comics to contemporary art, design to photography! Three excellent artists with a very wide spectrum of work! Don't miss this!Gina Wynbrandt is a cartoonist based in Chicago. He work has been featured in The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, printed in The Best American Comics, nominated for an Ignatz award, and translated into Danish, Norwegian, and Spanish. At this event we'll also debut her mini kuš! 'Center of Attention'.Susanna Kesänen is a Helsinki based artist. She studied photography at the Aalto University and her pencil drawings and comics are often somehow related to photos and photo albums.Valentin Verron is an artist based in Paris. He has been experimenting with different ways of storytelling and printing his drawings in zines. He also co-founded the collective Envie Pressante, they organise books-sculptures exibitions and participate in bookfairs from time to time.
Illustration by Gina Wynbrandt -
Comics Talks - Asuka Okajima
Presentation, ISSP Gallery, Berga Bazars, Riga, 22.03.2023, 18:30
Artist talk with kuš! resident Asuka Okajima and the ISSP residents. Asuka Okajima will present what he is currently working on and also talk about his riso publishing house Sea Sons Press.
Illustration by Asuka Okajima -
Comic Workshop with Mia Oberländer
Comic workshop with Mia Oberländer, 03.-05 March 2023, Goethe-Institut Riga, Riga, Application deadline 21.02.2023
We are very happy to welcome Mia Oberländer to Riga. From March 3 - 5, 2023 she will give a workshop about "Postcards from the Future" at the Goethe-Institut.
We've all wondered what we might look like in 20 years. But how do you think the places we live in age? The gas station that we pass every day or the monument in front of the town hall? How could the choices we make today change the way we live in the future? The participants imagine a Riga in the year 2043 and write postcards to each other. Based on these postcards, they draw comics under the guidance of Mia Oberländer and talk about innovative, funny or tragic visions of the future. After the workshop, the best results will be printed as A3 Riso posters and will tour Latvia as an exhibition.
Mia Oberländer (*1995) studied illustration and graphic storytelling in Hamburg. With her comic debut «Anna» (Edition Moderne) she won the main prize of the Berthold Leibinger Foundation in 2021 and in 2022 the German youth literature prize «New Talents». After its publication, the autofictional story was recognized by numerous feuilletons and culture editors, as well as published abroad. Oberländer has already illustrated for the German edition of LE MONDE diplomatique, the Kiblind magazine, the French daily Libération, and Strapazin, among others.
Take Part:
Participation is free! Places for the workshop are allocated through a selection process. Please apply to kuš! by email to kushmens(at)gmail(dot)com with the following info:
- Name, surname, age (18+), place of residence
- Link to your own portfolio/blog/insta (alternatively three comic pages or drawings in low resolution)
- Short letter of motivation (2-3 sentences)
Application deadline: 21.02.2023
Baltic Travel Grants:
Two participants each from Lithuania and Estonia can apply for a travel grant of 50 euros to take part in the workshop in Riga. The same selection procedure applies as above.
Dates and Place:
03.03.2023 (18.00-20.00), 04.03.2023 (11.00-18.00), 05.03.2023 (11.00-17.00). Place: Goethe-Institut Riga, Berga bazars, Marijas iela 13 k-1, Riga, Latvia
Organizers:
The workshop is organized by kuš! in collaboration with Goethe-Institut Riga. -
Kuš! Radio
Radio, Online Stream, Riga and around the world, 14-28.02.2023
Shut up, let's listen to Kuš! Radio! During the second half of February we'll stream shows from kuš! artist from around the world and have daily live guests at the kuš! office. The radio is powered by Tīrkulturā and hosted by Michael Holland. The radio's mascot is DJ Cat's new best friend and kuš! PR manager Auseklis.
Shows by and with: Anu Ambasna, Michael Holland, Harukichi and DJ Cat Gosshie, Olaf Ladousse, LCDD, Hal Weaver, Mārtiņš Zutis, Agnese Čemme, Jurijs Tatarkins, Rebeka Lukošus, Anna Malicka, Gvidas Pakarklis, Kaspars Groševs, Femimutancia, Jana Ribkina, Lu Zwanziger, Victoria Rodriguez, Ainārs Kamoliņš feat. DJ Melnie Pūre, Bjargey Ólafsdóttir, Anna Malicka, Zody Burke, Reinis Lodziņš, Waterflower, Helmut Kaplan, Sean Christensen, Omar Cheikh, Seimurs Guseinovs, Marcos Farrajota / Chili Com Carne, Lāsma Go, Kristine Mifsud, Dj BmwAudi Rūķu Zemē, Liminal Noise, Stripburger, Relámpago, Michael Fikaris, Michael Jordan, Kristaps Puķītis, Markus Färber, Julia Boehme, Roope Eronen and more!!!
MERCH! You can order a kuš! Radio t-shirt and a kuš! Radio mug here!
Illustration by Zane Zlemeša
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Mutige Verlage - Fumetto
Panel Discussion, Fumetto, Lucerne, Switzerland, 24.03.2023, 16:00-19:00
We are very happy to be part of the Fumetto panel "Brave Publishers" inspired by Strapazin's 150th issue focusing on independent comic publishers.
Home Sweet Home – good publishers can be a kind of professional home for artists! International guests from various independent publishers will discuss the joys and sorrows of comic publishing at this podium.
Afterwards: Meet & Greet with Drinks & Books.
Illustration: Excerpt from Zane Zlemeša's comic about kuš! in Strapazin! -
Fumetto Small Press Heaven
Small Press Market, Fumetto Festival, Lucerne, Switzerland, 25.-26.03.2023
Very happy to return to Fumetto once again! kuš! will have a table at the second weekend at the International Comics Arts Festival Fumetto in Lucerne. kuš! will be represented by it's editor David Schilter and by it's regular contributor König Lü.Q.Also Powerpaola will be there. If you'll ask her nicely, she might sign her mini kuš! 'I Couldn’t Stop' for you!
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Comics talks - Anu Ambasna, María Victoria
Presentation, Bolderāja, Avotu iela 29, Riga, 16.02.2023, 19:00-21:00
Artist talk with kuš! residents Anu Ambasna and María Victoria. They'll present their work in comics, illustration, animation, and music!
Anu Ambasna is a British Indian illustrator, broadcaster, and DJ from London. Her illustration work acts as a diary, drawing from personal experiences, conversations, and the depths of her imagination. Throughout Anu’s work, she uses colorful bodies to illustrate her view of the world.
María Victoria Rodriguez is an Argentinian freelance illustrator and animator based in Berlin. She has a degree in Fine Arts and also studied traditional 2D animation. You can find her work in books and magazines in Argentina, Perú, United States, Colombia, China, Germany and Spain.
Illustration by Anu Ambasna -
Comics Basics with Joonas Sildre
Workshops, different venues, Riga, January 2023
Our January resident Joonas Sildre from Tallinn holds a series of workshops teaching comics and telling about his work as cartoonist and illustrator. The first workshop is for the pupils at Jānis Rozentāls Art High School Riga (13 January), the second one for students of the Graphics department at the Latvian Academy of Art (17 January) and the third one for Ukrainian refugees at Common Ground (18 January).
Joonas Sildre is an Estonian comic artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. He has illustrated over 30 children's books. In 2018 he published the graphic novel "Kahe heli vahel" (Between Two Sounds), an acclaimed biography of composer Arvo Pärt.This project was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. -
Comics Talks - Joonas Sildre, Jurijs Tatarkins
Presentation, Bolderāja, Avotu iela 29, Riga, 11.01.2023, 19:00-21:00
Meet our January resident Joonas Sildre from Tallinn and local artist Jurijs Tatarkins. They tell about their experiments in comics and illustration.
Joonas Sildre is an Estonian comic artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. He has illustrated over 30 children's books. In 2018 he published the graphic novel "Kahe heli vahel" (Between Two Sounds), an acclaimed biography of composer Arvo Pärt. In January he is staying at the comics residency in Riga.
Jurijs Tatarkins is a freelance artist/illustrator/animator based in Riga. For the last few months he started to self publish a comic zine every month.
Illustration by Joonas SildreThis project was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
© kuš!