Comic art and illustration festival returns to Round Chapel to celebrate industry’s “most exciting talent”
Head in a book: ELCAF’s poster this year has been designed by Belgian illustrator Charlotte Dumortier. Image courtesy Nobrow / Charlotte Dumortier
A three-day festival of comic book illustration and storytelling artwork will give fans of the genre chance to indulge their creativity at Hackney’s Round Chapel in June.
The seventh edition of the East London Comics and Arts Festival (ELCAF), organised by Hackney-based publisher Nobrow Press, will bring a packed programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops showcasing “the most exciting talent in comics, sequential art, illustration and storytelling”.
It runs from June 22-24 and will host a diverse and international roster of artists who will present their work and give visitors an opportunity to get involved via a series of design workshops.
Over 100 exhibitors will appear at the event, with a line-up including Patrick Kyle, Nina Cosco, Conor Stechschulte, Tor Brandt, Sammy Stein, Aisha Franz, Akvile Magicdust and Dawid Ryski.
ELCAF 2018’s artistic director Ligaya Salazar said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing such an accomplished range of international and local talent to East London.
“The programme has a lot to offer for all interests and ages – we’re looking forward to it all kicking off soon.”
Among other things, the workshops on offer will provide practical tips on screen-printing, doodling, gig poster design and even ancient Egyptian death masks, with tutorials delivered by the likes of Nick White, Sandra Dieckmann and Joe Gamble.
Charlotte Dumortier
The festival traditionally appoints an artist in residence and this year’s is Antwerp-based illustrator and animator Charlotte Dumortier, who creates comics and zines and has also designed the festival’s promotional artwork.
Her work includes the comic book Murphy’s Miserable Space Adventures (published by Oogachtend), which is a vibrantly illustrated absurdist comedy about an unlucky astronaut.
Speaking to the Citizen, Dumortier said: “I’m really looking forward to ELCAF 2018 – it will be my first visit, but I’ve only heard good things about it.
“I can’t wait to see all the brilliant posters and zines from all over the world and hopefully share a beer with artists I now only know from the internet.”
She mentioned a talk on the The Squeeze Book (‘an illustrated guide to accordion music around the world’), the Scrap Ain’t Crap zine creation workshop and another talk, The Book as a Medium, as features of the programme she was particularly looking forward to, as well as the more practical discussions about making a successful career as an illustrator.
Ahead of the main festival weekend ELCAF is running a UK-wide season of warm-up events throughout May and June.
After trips to Hay Festival and King Cross’ House of Illustration, there will be a visit to Dalston library for a free storytelling workshop on June 2, hosted by Sandra Dieckmann and based on her picture book Leaf (published by Flying Eye Books).
There will also be a free exhibition at SPACE gallery on Mare Street on June 14-16 featuring illustrations from artists who have contributed to the tenth anniversary edition of Nobrow magazine on the theme of “Studio Dreams”.
To find out more about ELCAF 2018 and what’s in store, visit the festival website: elcaf.co.uk
Tickets can be bought for either the full weekend or individual days at £10 or £5 respectively, with an additional option of purchasing an ‘Access All’ version for £20/£10