Sandcastle - Graphic Novel

Sandcastle by Frederik Peeters, story by Pierre Oscar Levy, is a creepy and compelling story, which leaves you wanting more...

Set on a secluded beach, a young woman is found dead, seemingly drowned. Strange things begin to happen to the families that arrive to enjoy the sun and swimming, as this sci-fi story unfolds.
Beautifully drawn and atmospheric, the book can be enjoyed for the story in itself, as well as an allegory for how we spend our lives.

WILSON - by Dan Clowes

 Daniel Clowes' Graphic Novel 'Wilson' is an incredibly well-observed tale of a cantankerous aging American man, searching for love, meaning, a family... himself. The book begins with Wilson walking his beloved dog, and striking up small talk with a fellow dog walker. Once she begins to engage in conversation, Wilson kills the chat dead with his 'for God's sake, don't you ever shut up' quip. Funny, wry and sad, the book engages various styles through the pages. Cartoon simplicity to sketchy portraiture, the different styles function to discourage too much emphasis on the art, encouraging a bond with the tale. In usual Clowes' manner, the choice of 'camera angles' and – most crucially – the narrative rhythm give this book an incredible pace throughout.
Recommended... it's a great book, both as an object and for narrative content - Kim

Dog Costumes 2

Dog Costumes 2 - a pick of Kim's favs.

Mother, Come Home - Paul Hornschemeier

This elegant, concise graphic novel was a chance discovery for me. It tells the story of a father and son who are left behind after the mother dies from cancer. The story is told from the child's point of view - including the breakdown of the father, and the boy's periodic slippage into fantasy. A moving, well observed story with absolute economy in each panel. The colour palate helps to further reinforce the starkness of the subject. - Kim

Lewis Klahr's new feature length film 'The Pettifogger' at the BFI London International Film Festival, October 2011

The word ‘Pettifogger’ is an archaic term used to describe a small-scale con-man and is the main character in Lewis Klahr’s experimental first full-length feature.(65 mins)


The Pettifogger  becomes hypnotic as the viewer is taken on a journey across America - a year in the life of an American conman/gambler

Set in 1963, the film uses a wide variety of materials against textured backdrops – playing cards, markers, crumpled period photographs, cocktail sticks, cut-outs and figures taken from comic books.
Using repetitive imagery – cars, licence plates, gas stations – against overlapping soundtracks, we follow the character until the narrative becomes a less clear-cut. As we move towards the end of the year, a dramatic storm takes you into a dream-like state - flashing lights start to move to the fore and fast-moving blurred images are interspersed with casino chips and whisky bottles. A disorientating and compelling film. - Kim

Charles Avery at Pilar Corrias Gallery, London

‘Place de la Revolution’ is the latest installment in Charles Avery’s endless project, The Islanders.
Since 2005, Charles Avery depicts a fictional place/island through drawings, objects, installations and texts. Avery’s imaginary world is a 'meditation on philosophical themes', according to the exhibition text. I say it's good drawing with a story to keep it going. - Kim

Hoshino Yukinobu at the British Museum

Professor Munakata's British Museum Adventure

Hoshino Yukinobu (b. 1954) is a world-famous manga artist. One of his most popular characters is Professor Munakata who investigates history and folklore in his manga adventures. In this display, you can see original artwork by Hoshino, including drawings showing the start of Professor Munakata’s new adventure set at the British Museum. - Kim