The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

 


Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816, gregj@unm.edu

January 19, 2006

Exhibition of Japanese Comic Artists at UNM

“Shojo Manga! Girl Power!,” a traveling exhibit of Japanese girl's comic artists, will show at Masley Art Gallery, Masley Hall, at the University of New Mexico, Jan. 23 - Feb. 10, 2006. The university's Art Education program is sponsoring the exhibit.

Japanese "manga" (comics) are cultural phenomena that began forty years ago. This exhibit focuses on the unique visual characteristics and narratives of 23 major "shojo mangaka" (girls' manga artists). These drawings and narratives are designed to provoke discussions about issues of gender, representation and themes about women's aspirations and dreams in Japanese culture.

Influenced by American comics and Disney animation, contemporary Japanese manga started as an inexpensive entertainment for children in the devastated post-war Japan.  Popular children's entertainment such as Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh are based on Japanese manga.

Masami Toku, associate professor, California State University-Chico, will speak at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31 at Masely Gallery about the major trends represented in this show. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion about the art and the manga/anime phenomena.

Toku has collected the art of the Shojo Manga artists and edited an 80-page color catalog that accompanies the show. According to Toku, manga comprises 40% of all publications in Japan.

 


The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

www.unm.edu