For Open the Door 2021 we are excited to explore the wide and often uncharted field of writers who make artworks and artists who write, and the array of ways that art and writing combine in the life and works of creatives. For these three conversational events, we are delighted to be joined by writers, artists, illustrators and researchers who will be sharing their work and answering your questions. These online events are all free and you can book your place at the links below!
In Conversation: Amanda Thomson and Amy Gear
Monday 10th May, 1pm to 2pm
Artist and writer Amanda Thomson spoke with Shetland artist Amy Gear about the interconnection of the visual and the written in their practice.
Amanda Thomson’s interdisciplinary work is often about notions of home, movements, migrations, landscapes and the natural world and how places come to be made. Her writing has appeared in The Willowherb Review and the anthologies Antlers of Water, Writing on the Nature and Environment of Scotland, edited by Kathleen Jamie, and The Wild Isles, edited by Patrick Barkham. Her first book, A Scots Dictionary of Nature, is published by Saraband Books.
Amy Gear is an artist from Shetland who makes projects, prints, paintings, performances and poetry and some other things that don’t begin with ‘P’ like sculptures and workshops. Amy’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions internationally. Amy is a director at Gaada which she co-founded in 2018 and applies her creativity and imagination to developing all aspects of the organisation, including (but not limited to) developing projects, running workshops, supporting artists and print editioning.
In Conversation: Sabba Khan and Nyla Ahmad
Saturday 22nd May, 2pm to 3.30pm
“Sabba Khan‘s tender, nuanced take on family, faith and belonging conjures auto-bio trailblazers like Alison Bechdel and Craig Thompson. A touchstone in the making, this is the book I’ve been waiting for.” Nyla Ahmad
In Sabba Khan’s debut graphic novel, “The Roles We Play”, illustration, design and writing come together to create a powerful series of interconnected stories. These thirty stories paint a snapshot of contemporary British Asian life and the complex generational shifts experienced within migrant communities today. At this relaxed conversational event, we’re delighted that Sabba will be sharing the journey behind her graphic novel with Nyla Ahmad, Reading Communities Manager at Scottish Book Trust. They’ll be talking together about the intersection between art and writing and who has opened the door to them.
In Conversation: Kate Charlesworth and Shazleen Khan
Friday 21st May, 6.30pm to 8pm
Join cartoonist and illustrator Kate Charlesworth and illustrator, writer and designer Shazleen Khan as they talk together about the importance of representation and seeing yourself in comics and graphic novels, and about how queer visibility helps with finding and creating a sense of community.
We’ll hear about the journey of their careers, touching upon changes in the industry from print journalism, the main form of Kate’s early practice, to the flourishing digital and indie publishing scene now. Be inspired by them, get insight into their creative practices, and hear who has opened the door for them in this relaxed conversation!