Selection for the Visionaries Symposium: Varoom Lab Journal and Birmingham City University 2015

I have been selected to deliver a Petcha Kutcha presentation at the 'Visionaries Symposium.' 

Entitled ‘Illustrator as Detective: Discovery through Drawing' my presentation explores a drawing project and exhibition I am currently undertaking at the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath that interrogates concepts of illustrator and illustration as visionary. I will explore the idea of innovation, revolution and discovery as I act as detective and interpret objects through the process of drawing.

The project explores ideas of future thinking in educational and professional developments, as the drawings act as functional and democratic means to communicate my personal responses to objects, and in turn challenge personal and studied responses from the public. Future thinking in educational and professional developments is also explored through the display of work, as drawings are displayed in cabinets in direct juxtaposition with objects, and will be exhibited throughout different galleries.

Presenters

Speakers include Matthew Richardson, Gareth Proskourine-Barnett, Rachel Gannon, Darryl Clifton, Richard Miles, Andrew Kulman and Andy Davies. Petcha Kutcha presentations from Alice Moloney, Christian Lloyd, Jo Berry, Jo Hassel, Chloe Regan, Gary Powell and Aiden Winterburn.

Visionaries 2 day illustration research event 5th/6th November 2015 at Birmingham City University Meet fellow illustration academics over a two day symposium in November in Birmingham and enjoy the talks presented by practitioners and academics on the illustrated map as a mode of communication, tracing the link between visionary J.G. Ballard and the cultural and virtual fabric of 2015, drawing and the digital networks of the contemporary urban landscape, revisiting the vision of the original Association of Illustrators committee, and imagining an alternative future for arts education. A film on the manifestations of vision in contemporary illustration practice will also be presented.

This event will investigate the way visionary approaches are able to expand the way we perceive the world, and also how influences from the past continue to resonate today. Illustrators, students and academics are all welcome.