Do you remember the first time a comic book or a cartoon became
more than just a collection of illustrations or animations?
Can you recall the moment that comics were no longer just the funny
pages but felt like something else - something with a
soul?
When I was eleven I visited the Big Apple Comic Con in
Manhattan. I felt a profound sensory overload as I stepped
inside the packed basement of St. Paul the Apostle Church.
The event had an energy-charged atmosphere that rivaled the buzz of
the city street outside. I was in awe witnessing an entire
childhood’s worth of memories come to life. The heroes and
villains whose adventures I had followed had come alive and seemed
tangible.
I explored the convention; I was drawn to a tightly huddled crowd
surrounding a narrow fold-up table. I wedged myself into the
crowd to get a closer look. Sitting behind the table was an
artist from DC comics. His physicality was just as
interesting to look at as were his comics. He wore a bushy
black mustache and had round bifocals set low on his nose. He sat
surrounded by an assortment of brushes, reams of bright white paper
and black India ink.
In less than five minutes he drew Batman, the Joker, and many of my
other favorite characters in multiple poses. He even took
requests from fans. The process was fascinating.
A fan would ask for an image of Batman jumping out of a window or
the Joker with his menacing smile and in quick, bold, and confident
strokes the artist actualized the characters on to the surface of
the paper.
Up to that point in my life I never questioned how comics were
made. I came to realize that there was much more to comics
than just colorful illustrations. There were individuals
behind the scenes creating characters and narratives. These
individuals understood the creative process and made art for eager
audiences. The day at the Comic Con convention remained in my
memory.
In today’s world, the artistic practices of illustrators are
closely associated with a wide range of disciplines and mediums
that demonstrate the versatile nature of illustration. Kerpoof !,
is an exhibition showcasing the creative process of contemporary
illustrators and animators. The artists in this exhibit
demonstrate the ability to articulate specific personal voices in
their work by engaging technological advancements that allow a
greater freedom to make art.
Displayed throughout the exhibit are preliminary sketches,
storyboards, and final drawings that give insight into the
different stages of creation. The images illustrate the
conception of the idea provided by the client, the articulation of
the idea by the artist, and the final manifestation of the product
through production. The works in this exhibition share a
common thread: the concept of illustration and how it is manifested
in a field that is constantly evolving and adapting to the pace of
a highly technological world.
I encourage the current generation of students to experience the
display and explore the multiple directions that can be taken to
achieve a successful career in the arts. Kerpoof! provides an
overview of various professional possibilities such as animation,
comic book illustration, advertising and 3D design. The
diversity of these works will enrich each visitor’s knowledge about
art and demonstrate the illustrator’s versatility in supplying
creative strategies that suffice the demands of the
marketplace.
Daniel DaSilva
Curator
Adjunct Professor
Department of Fine Arts
St. John’s University