‘Women in Comics’ Conference

‘Women in Comics’, is a one day conference organised by the curator of the New Hall Art Collection, Murray Edwards College.

A variety of artists, illustrators and authors will speak, including cartoonist Kate Evans.

Kate combines words and pictures for political effect in her work. Author of several groundbreaking pieces, she has focussed on topics from capitalism to motherhood, genetic experiments to environmental activism.

Nicola Streeten will speak on gender and the autographic novel in the twenty-first century. Nicola has worked as an illustrator since 1996, her work applies a humorous cartoon style to people, maps and buildings.

One of Nicola’s current projects is a joint venture with conference co-ordinator Sarah Lightman. As artists and illustrators, both believe that there is a new wave of comic emerging and felt that they should share their passion by launching a monthly graphic novel reading group and forum ‘Laydeez do Comics'.

A further speaker at the conference is Catriona MacLeod, a PhD student at the University of Glasgow. Catriona will look at and discuss the representation of women in French-Language comic strips such as 'Barbarella'.

Woodrow Phoenix, who is recognised for his graphic and playful work, with unusual use of formal experimentation, will question if autobiography is a trap with graphic designer Corinne Pearlman.

The event is part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas Week, which invites visitors of all ages to explore centuries of ideas celebrating the University’s 800th Anniversary year.

The conference has been organised by Dr. Laurence Grove, Sarah Lightman, Catriona MacLeod and Amanda Rigler, Curator and Outreach Manager of The New Hall Art Collection. The conference is supported by The University of Glasgow.

Sarah Lightman said: ‘What is so special about the event is the mixing of women comic artists and academics, and in both fields, we are fortunate to be hosting those who are established and those who are emerging names.’

Containing nearly 350 pieces of contemporary artwork by women artists, the collection at Murray Edwards College is on permanent display, with many of the pieces available to view online.

By virtue of its size and specialisation, the collection has become the most significant of its kind in the UK, and second in size only to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC.

Murray Edwards College is a women’s college of the University of Cambridge.
Pre-booking for the conference is essential. Tickets cost £12 (£10 students) and will include a light lunch, tea and coffee.

Please email Amanda Rigler at: art@newhall.cam.ac.uk to book tickets.

For a full list of speakers please use the link top right of this page.