Saturday 9 January 2016 – Sunday 14 February 2016
The first major exhibition of Japanese Shojo (Girl’s) Manga in the UK is presented at The Atkinson, Southport in association with the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
The Shojo Manga: The World of Japanese Girls’ Comics exhibition launches on Saturday 9 January and introduces the world of Japanese Shojo (Girl’s) Manga through elaborate replica (Genga’ (Dash)) prints developed jointly by Kyoto Seika University’s International Manga Research Centre and the Manga artist Keiko Takemiya, Dean of the Kyoto Seika University.
The exhibition features the incredible work of three artists – Akiko Hatsu, Keiko Takemiya and Yukiko Kai but also includes the work of 17 other artists who have all helped shape the world of Shojo Manga.
Japanese Shojo Manga culture dates back to the post war years but only evolved into its broad-ranging and hugely popular form of today thanks to the innovative work of a small group of artists in the 1970s, when artists such as Takemiya emerged on the scene turning what had previously been seen as a “low” form of manga into a cultural genre to rival literature. She published many Shojo Manga exploring new themes such as young homosexual love (“The Poem of Wind and Trees”) and science fiction (“To Terra”).
(Genga’ (Dash) prints are copies of original artworks faithfully reproduced with the aim of conserving the original Manga artwork, which is easily damaged or worn.
The elaborate reproductions of original Manga drawings through the use of computerised fine colour adjustment and printing, reproduces subtle differences in the shades and colour graduation with such precision that it is almost indistinguishable from the original, when placed next to each other.
This fabulous exhibition for all ages is only on display for five weeks at The Atkinson from Saturday 9 January – Sunday 14 February and then it travels The House of Illustration in London from 15 March 012 June 2016.
For more information please visit theatkinson.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01704 533333. They are also available over the counter during The Atkinson opening hours.
-ENDS-
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LISTING INFORMATION
Shojo Manga: The World of Japanese Girls’ Comics
Saturday 9 January – Sunday 14 February
For interviews or further information/images please contact Emma.Lloyd@sefton.gov.uk / 0151 934 2129.
Editor’s Notes: The Artists
Yukiko Kai was part of the wave of innovative manga artists working in Japan in the 1970s as well as one of the driving forces behind that wave. Her work covers a range of themes from science fiction fantasy through to romantic tales set outside of Japan as well as strongly Japanese creations themed around Noh theatre. Her drawing skills make her a noted artist and she was appreciated particularly by other manga artists. Tragically she died at the age of 26 and as a result only short story versions of her work remain. Their beauty, however, is truly worth being communicated outside of Japan.
Akiko Hatsu is the younger sister of Yukiko Kai and currently works full time as a manga artist. She is deeply steeped in Japanese tradition, having worked on comic versions of work by authors such as Kyoka Izumi, and nowadays working on serialisations such as “Dreams of Uryudo” which expand on her unique worldview. Her stories are set not only in beautiful Japan but also in the UK and her work, drawing on both East and West, has the potential to be widely appreciated here.
Ms Keiko Takemiya published many shojo manga exploring new themes such as young homosexual love (“The Poem of Wind and Trees“) and science fiction (“To Terra”). Akiko Hatsu will make her first trip outside of Japan to appear at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 1DB
HOW TO BOOK
In person: Visit The Atkinson box office on Lord Street
For tickets: visit the website theatkinson.co.uk or call box office on 01704 533333
Posted on 9 December 2015 under General news
