I have some artwork from Home on display in the Central Saint Martins Library and Learning Zone. The show is called Process and aims to showcase CSM research student’s work in progress. Go have a look if you are a UAL student and have access to the library. Works are on display until the end of May.
Short Run Seattle 2022
I’ll be heading to Seattle in November to be a special guest at Short Run Fest ‘22!!
New Comic - Home
I have a brand new comic available. ‘Home’ is a guided tour of sites of unpleasant memory, drawn using charcoal and ink on paper-hand towels, from google street view images.
It comes in an edition of 200, numbered and signed. 52 pages, Black and White, 19 x 13cm and costs £6 (Free P&P in the UK)
Burning, Soaking, Piercing, Dancing - Exhibition of Original Art at the 155a Gallery
I’m having a show of original art at the wonderful 155a Gallery, showing recent work from The Dancing Plague and Home. All details and press release below. Pen 11am - 5pm No need to book, but mask wearing appreciated!
Gareth Brookes returns to the 155a Gallery to show recent work taken from his graphic novel The Dancing Plague, and latest comic Home
Utilising processes such as pyrograph., embroidery and monoprint combined with materials which include calico and paper handtowels, Brookes employs unique approaches to produce beautiful sequential art.
‘The Dancing Plague’, published by SelfMadeHero tells a true story, from 1518, when hundreds of inhabitants of Strasbourg were suddenly seized by the strange and unstoppable compulsion to dance, from the imagined perspective of Mary, one of its witnesses.
“With fire and needle, Brookes crafts a book the likes of which we’ve never seen before”. Ed Park - The New York Times
Original pyrography and embroidery from the book will be included in the show.
‘Home’ is a guided tour of places of memory, drawn with charcoal and ink on paper hand towels from images found on google street view. It is Brookes’ latest short experimental comic and will be launching at the show.
Gareth Brookes is one of the most surprising comics creators working anywhere in the world. – Dylan Horrocks
The Show will be open from Thursday the 4th – Sunday the 7th November between 11am and 5pm.
155a Gallery
155a Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HX
Kuš! Comics present š! Anthology #42 'Scientific Facts' including a new comic by me!
The fantastic Kuš! Comics have just released their latest issue of the š! Anthology #42 on the theme of 'Scientific Facts' and I’m very pleased to say it contains a brand new five page comic by myself, created using charcoal and ink on paper handtowels.
It’s A6, 196 pages, full-color, perfect bound, high quality and environmentally friendly Munken paper and features incredible artists from all over the globe. Make sure you go and get yourself a copy while stocks last!
Colossive Cartography #24
Colossive Cartography number 24 Exorcise Daily by yours truly is here, published by the excellent Colossive Press
You can buy here it for a mere £2 or get it as a bundle pack of six for a tenner. There are 23 others in the series made by some of the best indy comics and zine creators around, so get clicking.
New Book Announcement : The Dancing Plague
I’m pleased to announce that my new graphic novel, The Dancing Plague will be released by SelfMadeHero at the end of April 2021!
The book was three years in the making and received public funding from the Arts Council England
The Dancing Plague tells a true story, from 1518, when hundreds of inhabitants of Strasbourg were suddenly seized by the strange and unstoppable compulsion to dance, from the imagined perspective of Mary, one of its witnesses. Prone to mystic visions as a child, betrayed in the convent to which she flees, then abused by her loutish husband, Mary endures her life as an oppressed and ultimately scapegoated woman with courage, strength, and inspiring beauty.
As difficult to interpret now (as a psychological reaction to social injustice?) as it was then (as a collective demonic possession?), the story of the “Dancing Plague” finds suitably extraordinary expression in the utterly unique mixed-media style Gareth Brookes has devised to tell it. The pioneering blend of his trademark “pyrographic” technique with sumptuously colourful (and literal) embroidery perfectly reflects, in a beautiful work of art, the enduring fragility of our human condition – from “choreomania” to coronavirus.
Check out SelfMadeHero website for more info and details of how to preorder
Threadbare - Out Now
Threadbare is now available in the webshop!
£8 gets you 56 pages of digitally printed full colour embroidered artwork. 240x168mm. Price includes P&P within UK.
It’ll be debuting at Hackney Comic and Zine Fair on the 8th September, so if you’re London based I’ll see you there.
Artist Residency at Bryn Mawr College, Philadelphia.
I had a fantastic time on my artist residency at Bryn Mawr College recently giving an artist talk, delivering embroidery, digital and zine making workshops.
Many thanks to everyone who came to my events and to everyone involved in organising my stay. You all made me feel very welcome.
April Beginners Embroidery Workshop
The next Beginners Embroidery Workshop will take place on Sunday 21st April at Stanley Halls 12 S Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB
It’s £15 for the two hour workshop. There are only 12 places so booking is essential.
