I am a visual narrator and illustrator,
with academic interests in
queer theory, and fan-work.
I lead the Comics and Graphic Novels Course
at Teesside University
Lecturing across Illustration and Comics.
"Communication happens when an image
reminds the viewer of his own knowledge"
- René Magritte
Academic Interests:
I use comics and illustration as a way to explore new creative learning methods, examine issues within the wider comics field and make my research accessible to a wider audience.
A key academic concern of my work is questioning the power structures that impact how creativity manifests within social spaces, and the social negotiation that occurs around how these works are interpreted and shared. Of particular interest to me at present is how narrative cultural artefacts such as manga are viewed and engaged with on the global stage - with a view to gaining a deeper, practical understanding of how culturally established perspectives on manga and social learning methods support individuals and industries.
Academic Background:
2014 - Graduated BA Hons Illustration from Cardiff School of Art and Design.
2015 - Became Assistant Lecturer at Cardiff School of Art and Design.
2015 - Won MA Exchange to Kyoto City University of the Arts.
2016 - Graduated from Royal College of Art
2016 - Teesside University, developed BA course in Comics and Graphic Novels at Teesside University.
2017 - Gained Research Grant from Daiwa Foundation.
2019 - Developed and MA Illustration course.
2019 - Gained Research Grant from the Sasakawa Foundation.
2020 - Graduated from Teesside University with Pedagogic Certificate for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
2021 - Became Course Leader for Comics and Graphic Novels BA at Teesside University.
2022 - Became External Examiner for MA Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art.
2023 - Won MEXT (Japanese Government Ministry for Education) Scholarship to pursue PhD at Keio University, Tokyo.
Current Projects:
MEXT Scholarship PhD Candidate 2023 - onwards.
Keio Media Design, Keio University, Tokyo.
Lead researcher and co-editor on MANGANATION, a Daiwa Foundation funded documentary about Japanese Fan Comics (Doujinshi).
Creating the graphic novel, Not A Copycat, about the hybrid economy of Doujinshi in Japan, supported by the Japanese Ministry for Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho).
Exhibitions and Fairs:
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Casa De la Cultura, Javea, Spain - 2010
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Art in the Warehouse - Milgi's - Cardiff, UK - 2013
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EveryBody, M.A.D.E Gallery - Cardiff, UK - 2013
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Dim Mor Syml - Brick Lane Gallery - London, UK - 2014
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A Pen Can Build Faster Than A Hammer - Hockney Gallery, RCA - London, UK - 2015
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TATE Offprint - London, UK - 2015
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@KCUA Gallery - Kyoto, Japan - 2015
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Graphic Shakespeare Exhibition - Keizai University, Tokyo, Japan - 2016
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Graphic Shakespeare Exhibition - University of Tsukuba - Tsukuba, Japan - 2016
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International Women's Day - Teeside University Curve building - Middlesbrough, UK - 2017
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Tokyo Media Festival Exhibition (CG Arts)- Tokyu Plaza - Ginza, Tokyo, Japan - 2020
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Women in Comics - BALTIC39 - Newcastle upon Tyne, UK - 2020 (upcoming)
Panels, Papers and Conferences:
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In Memory of Charlie Hebdo
The ILLinformed illustration Annual
ILLinformed, Royal College of Art, 2016 - London, UK
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Panel: Anthology publishing - Canny Comic-Con
Newcastle Central Library, 2017 - Newcastle, UK
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Verbal Remedy: Panel Discussion on the film Elle
Tyneside Cinema, 2017 - Newcastle, UK
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Presentation of Unoriginal Sin paper
Graphic Justice Conference - July, 2017 - London, UK
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Comics in Education : CILIP Conference
Newcastle Central Library, 2018 - Newcastle, UK
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Comiket and Doujinshi: A Day of 'Hare'
Studies in Comics 9.2, Intellect Ltd, 2018 - UK
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Visual Journalling for Auto-therapeutic Practice
The 10th Illustration Research Symposium, Illustrating Mental Health, 2019 - Worcester University, UK
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Learning Methods of Doujinshi Circles
Comics in the University, 2019 - Newcastle University, UK
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Women in Comics Symposium
BALTIC art centre - Gateshead, UK - 2021
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Comiket in the Global Arena
The International Graphic Novels and Comics Conference IGNCC 2022
About Me:
I grew up in Birmingham, Ireland and Spain, painting, drawing, and reading whatever comics I could get a hold of. I have a 2nd Dan in Washinkai Karate, with experience in coaching karate to people of all ages, ability levels and adaptations. I love weightlifting and CrossFit, though I'm not that good at it! I'm passionate about animal rights and so follow an ethical vegan lifestyle - coupled with a lot of coffee! I love podcasts and I'm working hard on improving my command of the Japanese language (currently N4). よろしくお願いします！
