The Epic of Gilgamesh #1 is Kinoko’s comic book retelling of the ancient Mesopotamian world classic The Epic of Gilgamesh. Focusing on development and research to create this retelling of the ancient work, Kinoko has created a new and informed version that a modern audience could connect with.
As well as book signing, Kinoko will read from the book, share process and talk about the Epic of Gilgamesh acknowledging the history, art and culture of ancient Mesopotamia and a journey of research and understanding of the archaeology of these civilizations and the context of the ancient world in the more globally leaning civilization of today.
“In realizing that early civilization shared the same uncertainty and inability to grasp their own place in the universe, I feel more connected to my humanness and the human race with which I share life on this planet.”
LISTING INFORMATION:
WHO: Kinoko
WHAT: Book release, reading and signing
WHEN: Wednesday, May 23rd, 6-8pm
WHERE: Floating World Comics, 400 NW Couch St.
BIO INFORMATION:
Kinoko is an Opti-Mystic with a light heart. Exploring themes of technology, spirituality and New Primitivism, she places playful characters in heavier situations. Thinking positively towards a hopeful future, her work opens a visual dialog about humanity. Epic mythologies are staged by insouciant characters, giggling and vigilant in narrative, contemporary lore. Her work is inspired by Omega Point theory and reveals connections to ancient civilizations and a search for new mysticism in the present.
Visual influences of Eighties Art, Japan’s Super Flat and the Paleolithic are apparent and often points of discussion in Kinoko’s published comics. She has a knack for drawing the cute, sensitive, silly and mischievous. Often these images are translated from brush ink drawings and cartoons into screen prints popping with emotion and calculated palettes.
Originally from Philadelphia, Kinoko studied print making at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Liberal Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. At the turn of the millennium she moved to Seattle, Washington and worked within the merging craft uprise, fine art and street art communities. She is a continuing member of Seattle based arts collective Fourthcity. She was awarded artist residencies at S.A.W. gallery in 2003 and in 2006 by Luke Ramsey’s Islands Fold in British Columbia. In 2010 She moved to Portland, Oregon working with and showing through both Pony Club Gallery and Grass Hut Gallery. She has very recently completed a BFA in illustration as a transfer at PNCA. Her work has been exhibited in Europe, Canada, Japan and the U.S. She is actively engaging in more art challenges to feed her drawing addiction by continuing her graphic novel retelling of Gilgamesh.