Category Archives: Past exhibitions

There is an alternative! Critical cartoons and comics

2 May – 1 July 2016
Templeman Gallery, Floor 1 West

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See the reactions: #TIAAKent on Twitter and Instagram

This exhibition showcased a selection of original material, reprints, published material and paraphernalia by American and British comic artists, representing two prolific traditions in alternative comics.

The artists whose work was displayed include:

  • Andy Singer
  • Cristy C. Road
  • Darrin Bell
  • Gord Hill
  • Hunt Emerson
  • J.J. McCollough
  • James van Otto
  • Jen Sorensen
  • Kate Evans
  • Khalid Albaih
  • Lauren Weinstein
  • Matt Bors
  • Mike Goodwin and Dan E. Burr
  • Rachael House
  • Robert Armstrong
  • Safdar Ahmed
  • Spike Trotman
  • Stephanie McMillan
  • Suzy Varty
  • Ted Rall
  • Tom Tomorrow (Dan Perkins)
  • Vegan Sidekick

The exhibition also included materials from the British Cartoon Archive and the Les Coleman Archive.

The works displayed are commonly labelled as alternative in their respective traditions and understood as critically positioning themselves against a given mainstream (whether in comics, politics or culture).

Through the displayed material, and drawing on the position of comics as an underground or marginal form, the exhibition investigated the issue of what it means to be ‘alternative’ and ‘critical’ in contemporary society.

there is an alternative

Comedy on Stage and Page: Satirical Cartoons and Stand-Up Comedy

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14 January — 30 March 2016

This exhibition showcases some of the fascinating material in two of the Templeman Library’s Special Collections: the British Cartoon Archive and the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive.

Not only are the items on display valuable sources of social, political and art history, but they also still entertain us today.

The cartoons range from early 20th century commentary on the women’s suffrage movement to lewd seaside postcards to recent newspaper cartoons from artists such as Steve Bell and Carl Giles. The stand-up comedy display features posters from events dating from the 1970s to the present day, comedians’ personal notes, tour memorabilia and more.

As well as printed material, there are also more unusual items on display including toys, knitwear and confetti.

Find out more

Five Fascinating Artefacts: personal reflections on some of the items in the exhibition