PorterShed a Dó, Market Street
2.00pm, Saturday 4th October. Free Entry
We are honoured to introduce you to one of the true masters of the Underground Comix movement, Gilbert Shelton.
Breaking onto the scene in the early ’60s with superhero parody Wonder Wart-Hog, Gilbert really made it big with characters that fondly but honestly lampooned the archetypes of the very hippie counterculture he was part of: The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and its equally famous spin-off, Fat Freddy’s Cat. Their social satire and druggie humour left little doubt that these were a new kind of comic, definitely intended for an adult readership.
Gilbert will regale us with memories of wild times in conversation with another great of the under-ground comic scene, Hunt Emerson
Opening 11.30am, Saturday 4th October
2.00-3.00pm, Sunday 5th October. Free Entry
This year we point the spotlight at Ian Knox, who has had – and indeed is still having – one of the most extraordinary careers in Irish cartooning. Born in Belfast, by the early ‘70s he was working in animation in London and then Canada. From there he went on to cartoon politically for left-wing periodicals Red Weekly and Socialist Challenge, while simultaneously drawing for various UK children’s comics.
He signed much of his political work Blotski, and he and Republican News cartoonist Cormac worked together as Kormski on the anti-clerical strip “Dog Collars” for Fortnight Magazine.
Beginning in 1996 he contributed the “As I See It” feature to Hearts and Minds on BBC2 Northern Ireland, and from 1997-98 he was political cartoonist for Ireland on Sunday. He is now the editorial cartoonist for Northern daily The Irish News.
PorterShed a Dó, Market Street
4.00pm, Sunday 5th October. Free Entry
Brendan McCarthy is an artist/writer who has been published widely, with over 10 graphic novels to his credit such as Dream Gang, Rogan Gosh and Strange Days.
He has designed or written for Hollywood movies, including the Oscar-winning Mad Max Fury Road. He has also worked as a production designer in animation and on lots of pop videos – though comic books still remain his favourite medium.
He will take us on a vivid journey through highlights of his career.
Created During the Festival. Free Entry
Andy Leuenberger is a Berlin comic artist, producing and self-publishing the retro-SciFi comic Dead Time Data since 2021. He also regularly self-publishes satirical cartoon/comic/art/zine/whatever books.
His drawings, screen-prints and books have been presented in exhibitions and festivals for micropublishing, screen printing and comic art around Europe and beyond.
7.30pm, Tuesday 7th October. Free Entry
As well as an exhibition, Andy will give us a workshop on creating and publishing your own comics. Work created in the workshop will become another exhibition!
This is an evening event for adults, including young adults. Materials will be provided but you can bring your own.
We are fortunate to be joined by two excellent French Press cartoonists who will show us the reality of their artistic process – all the way from coming up with a new idea to delivering a finished drawing by the deadline.
2.30-4.00pm, Friday, 3rd October.
Thibaut Soulcié was born in Loir-et-Cher in France and now calls Bordeaux home. Perpetually young at heart and in good spirits, he’s known for his wonderfully irreverent take on just about anything. His cartoons appear in L’Équipe, Marianne, Télérama, La Revue Dessinée, Fakir, Arte 28’, Fluide Glacial… and pretty much anywhere else that’s willing to join in the fun.
To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite
1.00-2.00pm, Saturday 4th October.
Camille Besse honed her artistic skills at ENSAAMA (Applied Arts), the Gobelins School, and ESAD (Decorative Arts). After collecting yet another diploma, she was welcomed into the newsroom of Charlie Hebdo, where she truly found her calling: editorial cartooning. Her first cartoon appeared in 2018, marking the start of a five-year collaboration with the magazine.
Today, Camille’s work can be seen in a wide range of publications, including Marianne, Reporterre, L’Humanité, Le Pèlerin, Phosphore, and Les Cahiers Pédagogiques. Beyond the press, she creates comic books and animated films, and occasionally runs workshops in both schools and prisons—sharing her passion for drawing and storytelling with audiences far and wide.
To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite
Artists In Residence on Inis Oírr
Born in Marseille but moving to London more than a decade ago, Lucie has been published in both countries, and writes, draws and colours for the comics series Enola Holmes – now in 15 languages.
The autobiographical Je Ne Sais Quoi (Random House) was awarded graphic novel of the month by The Guardian.
Lucie will give another comic art workshop in Galway city, draw with visitors to the island, and display work created on the island at the Áras Éanna art centre.
Sub-City Comics, Corbett Court SC
12.30pm, Friday 3rd October
To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite
Tigh Ruairí, Inis Oírr
12.30pm, Monday 6th October
Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr
6.30pm, Monday 6th October
Born in Gaza in 1999, Malak Mattar started painting at 14 and went on to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martin’s London. She is best known for her monumental painting No Words and as the creator of Sitti’s Bird, A Gaza Story, a children’s book based on her own life.
Malak was to be our guest last year, but visa issues meant she could only join us by video. Now she takes up an artist residency at Áras Éanna on the island of Inis Oírr.
Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop. Middle Street
12.00-1.00pm, Friday 3rd October
We’re doing it for the kids once more, in Charlie Byrne’s bookshop. And this time the Festival team will be aided by the fabulous Hunt Emerson.
Hunt is one of Britain’s greatest comic artists, famous for his “underground” work since the 1970s, the strip Phenomenomix, and as a collaborator with people like Alan Moore. But he also draws for the much-loved children’s comic The Beano.
The workshop is for younger children accompanied by adults, and all materials will be provided. To book see: galwaycartoonfestival.ie/eventbrite
5.00-6.00pm, Sunday 5th October
Meet underground comic artists in an underground comic shop. Some of the biggest names in the genre will be available to say hi and sign things at Sub-City, including Gilbert Shelton, Hunt Emerson, Brendan McCarthy, Andy Leuenberger and more.
Comics available on the day, or bring your own collection.
3:00pm, Sunday 5th October. Free Entry
Unfortunately, American political cartoonist Jeff Danziger had to cancel at short notice for medical reasons. We wish him a full and speedy recovery. In his place, we are very fortunate to be able to bring you one of the biggest names in comic art today, Belfast’s John McCrea.
It’s not easy to name someone who’s drawn for Marvel, DC, Judge Dredd and The Simpsons, but John McCrea is one of that rare breed.
Drawing the strip Troubled Souls, set in his home city of Belfast, brought sudden fame back in 1989, and his reputation has only grown since. Recently he has contributed to contemporary icons such as The Boys and Deadpool.
John will talk to us about his career at the cutting edge of comic art.
