Writing Art History Since 2002

First Title

Andrew Lamprecht, the recently appointed Editor of ARTsouthAFRICA’s new sister publication, ComicArtAfrica, sent out a series of questions to a number of comic art practitioners for comment. This is the response of Alistair Brauns (Cape Town-based architect and illustrator). Selected extracts from other respondents are included in pull-quotes throughout the supplement and will be published online and in ARTsouthAFRICA’s digital editions over the next few months.

INTERVIEW ALISTAIR BRAUNS 
ABOVE: Artwork by Alistair Brauns from Crimson. Courtesy of the artist.
 

What the current position of comics and other related media in South Africa and the African continent? Have we arrived or are we still on the journey?

The local scene is highly fragmented, yet growing quite rapidly in the last 5-6 years. There are attempts to create a stronger ‘community ‘ by people like Andy Mason and Moray Rhoda. As such. South African comics is a niche within a niche market, the most popular perception of the medium still held as ‘kiddy fare’ but slowly this is changing by appreciation of the educational and commercial benefits often at the expense of creator independence.

What can comics do that other art and literary forms cannot in our local context?

Comics have the ability to communicate through primarily through the power of images which is important in our country with 11 official languages and varied education levels in the population.

Do we draw our inspiration from the USA and Europe rather than the rest of the continent? Should we be engaged more closely with creatives from Africa?

The medium has been most developed and refined in the US. This (comic books) is one of the American invented mediums according to Harlan Ellison, (an American writer _Star Trek , Outer Limits), and there is some truth to that. Inspiration can come from anywhere but the mechanics of panels and text are highly developed in the US publication. Plotlines and archetypal characters,  often seen as conventional by the masses, are challenged by European comics, taking a more philosophical approach, which one may argue is more engaging to an adult contemporary audience.

Is there a recognisable South African style in comic art?

Worldwide the trend in term of an art style seems influenced by the digital tools at the artists disposal, more animation like, consisting of a crisp outlines and computer colours. Local artists seem of a  European/American hybrid.

If so, how would you characterise this? If not why do you think this may be the case?

This may have to do with the influences and visual exposure of the artists who, at this point in time, stem from a similar demographic sector of the nation. The most popular artists of the medium seem to lay the foundation of what to follow.

What challenges do we face in creating a viable comics culture?

We need publishers! we need patrons!

Any other comments relating to our local comic productions that you would like to make?

Local comic artist would like more of the same opportunities and attention as other ‘high brow’ artists get for exposure.

Finally describe what you are currently doing relating to comics, cartooning or sequential narrative. Please list your recent publications or current projects.

Currently developing the 3rd book of Crimson, searching for a credible writer as we speak! Also looking at developing a 2nd book title aimed at younger audience which is educational in content at the same time. Also looking at collaborating with local writers.

Publications:

Crimson 1 – self published .2013

Crimson 2 – self published. 2014

Crimson 3 – in production

Thanks for the opportunity to be included and for your interest in South African comics!

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