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Death of the Artist
On 13 August 2013 graphic novelist Karrie Fransman invited four old friends from university to an isolated cottage on the misty moors of the Peak District to join her for a week of hedonism and creativity. Like Shelley and Byron before them, they would use the retreat to tell stories. Except these would be comics, collected together in this very book. The theme? The Death of the Artist.
None of the five friends realised how appropriate this theme would become.
The book weaves a single narrative across watercolour, digital art, photography, collage and illustration, exploring the themes of creation, destruction, and how we kill our inner artists as we grow up. It takes the graphic novel into entirely new realms.
None of the five friends realised how appropriate this theme would become.
The book weaves a single narrative across watercolour, digital art, photography, collage and illustration, exploring the themes of creation, destruction, and how we kill our inner artists as we grow up. It takes the graphic novel into entirely new realms.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 8, 2022
I have only recently come across the term ‘mixed media graphic novel’ and I encountered my first when I read Good Talk by Mira Jacob.
Similar to Mira, Karrie Fransman combines illustrations and real photographs to tell five stories told by five different artists, including her own, in her graphic novel “Death of the Artist.” Karrie and her friends spent their early 20s creating art – comics, anthologies, etc. But life soon took over and they parted ways to work in different companies and agencies. Where did the artist in them go after that?
The idea for the book was born when Karrie spent a week away with four of her close artist friends to rekindle the artist and storyteller in them. The theme was ‘death of the artist’ where each one mulls over Picasso’s question – ‘we are all born artists but the question is how to remain one.’
Each story was quite different. Some talk about their life in general while others simply recount some incidents from the week when they got together. All across, there’s the general feeling of ‘oh how did we become like this’ and perspectives on growing older.
I think the first one by Manuel was by far the best in terms lyrical writing as well as the lovely artwork. The most unique was Helena’s story which has photographs. Vincent’s stood out for having arresting art.
Overall, it’s the design and artwork that stand out more than a narrative. The text doesn’t do enough to pull me in and feel for the characters except for the little twist in the end.
The visual element is wonderful but not the other half. Well, the artist is definitely alive.
Similar to Mira, Karrie Fransman combines illustrations and real photographs to tell five stories told by five different artists, including her own, in her graphic novel “Death of the Artist.” Karrie and her friends spent their early 20s creating art – comics, anthologies, etc. But life soon took over and they parted ways to work in different companies and agencies. Where did the artist in them go after that?
The idea for the book was born when Karrie spent a week away with four of her close artist friends to rekindle the artist and storyteller in them. The theme was ‘death of the artist’ where each one mulls over Picasso’s question – ‘we are all born artists but the question is how to remain one.’
Each story was quite different. Some talk about their life in general while others simply recount some incidents from the week when they got together. All across, there’s the general feeling of ‘oh how did we become like this’ and perspectives on growing older.
I think the first one by Manuel was by far the best in terms lyrical writing as well as the lovely artwork. The most unique was Helena’s story which has photographs. Vincent’s stood out for having arresting art.
Overall, it’s the design and artwork that stand out more than a narrative. The text doesn’t do enough to pull me in and feel for the characters except for the little twist in the end.
The visual element is wonderful but not the other half. Well, the artist is definitely alive.
January 24, 2016
The idea behind this book is great and highly original, the result however fell flat for me and I am left thinking they missed the mark somewhat. Five arty friends reunite in their 30's, intent on spending a week together contributing pieces towards a book about how art dies inside you when you grow up. The thing is, they don't really address the topic at all.
Art never dies, you just have less time for it as you gather more adult responsibilities. These people seem to want to never grow up and they are still living in a fantasy world because of it. I found them a little bit pathetic and oddly, the least pathetic one is the one that has seemed to realise he isn't growing up and stays true to who he is, right through to a tragic ending.
Art never dies, you just have less time for it as you gather more adult responsibilities. These people seem to want to never grow up and they are still living in a fantasy world because of it. I found them a little bit pathetic and oddly, the least pathetic one is the one that has seemed to realise he isn't growing up and stays true to who he is, right through to a tragic ending.
June 16, 2015
One of the most refreshing graphic novels that I've read recently. I liked how humane it is compared to many of the superhero graphic novels that I've read! The ending makes the rest of the the novel very poignant.
September 7, 2019
I liked the idea here, and the various art styles meshed together much better than expected. The actual book itself fell quite flat as the narrative was incoherent and at times quite odd. I really liked the idea, the art was gorgeous, but the execution itself, not so much.
November 24, 2021
I think if you view this as an art piece, its fascinating. If you view this as a book, its disjointed and pretentious. The subject matter is hedonistic, and I just felt uncomfortable as I went into this with the headspace of reading. I delayed doing this review as I wanted to reflect approaching it as an art piece, and in that sense its a fantastic collaborative piece. But for reading, its a waste of time.
September 4, 2023
It's very pretty and all but the sex with a minor?? Then photographing said minor in bed afterwards while telling the story and publishing it??? Did her parents consent to that?
Otherwise, the stories felt very real, hazy in the way life feels when looking back on times you thought would never pass. It is beautiful to look at, sad to read, and overall feels very human.
But please why is nobody talking about the threesome with the minor
Otherwise, the stories felt very real, hazy in the way life feels when looking back on times you thought would never pass. It is beautiful to look at, sad to read, and overall feels very human.
But please why is nobody talking about the threesome with the minor
December 3, 2017
Interesting idea, but overall a tad mediocre.
May 19, 2018
Another great book from Karrie!!
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January 9, 2021Engaged in drunken-ness and orgies, five people realise they (still) dislike their lives very much. Each pays the price of such a lifestyle. Wait, haven't we heard this story before?
May 26, 2015
As a media student myself I found this graphic novel so refreshing. Stylistically it doesn't follow a linear structure which automatically gets the reader thinking "what exactly is a graphic novel?". It explored ideas which are advance for our time, and as far as I am aware of it is something that I've never seen done before. Personally, the photography section of the novel was my favourite as someone who can't draw very well it inspired me to consider this technique when working on content of my own. The novel is based around 5 friends who meet at University and at the time thought the world was their oyster and have now succumbed to normality, which in their world can be described as the destruction in their life story. Overall this is an extremely beautiful book with fantastic art work and thought provoking concepts which relate to artistic realism in the modern day. I would recommend this book to someone who views themselves as a creative a person as I am sure this would resonate on a deeper level with them as opposed to someone who just enjoys the convention of graphic novels.
February 6, 2015
a well structured book which explores the lives of 5 artists getting back together for one weekend and illustrating their own tales. it does do a remarkable job of exploring the themes of creation and destruction and its telling in different art mediums is inspired but what transpires will probably divide opinion.
April 7, 2015
I picked this book up by chance as I was curious about the different styles of art in it. I do not think I would read it again ever though even if it is very well written and put together due to feeling uncomfortable about the subjects activities in the book.
December 7, 2015
An interesting collaborative project, quite nicely executed (so to speak).
December 21, 2015
This is truly a beautiful book. So sad but so real.
April 30, 2016
One of the most refreshing and inspiring books I've read in a while. Track down a copy if you can! I have a massive library fine because of it and I don't really regret it
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews