Colour between the lines: the magic of graphic storytelling

Friday 25 October, 12:50 pm

The Capitol Theatre

Image by Wim van 't Einde

Storytelling is what makes us human. It informs our connection to one another and how we understand the world. Before words, however, children are captivated by pictures – absorbing stories through colour, shape and illustration. 

Who hasn’t wanted to join The Very Hungry Caterpillar in his feast? Go paddling with The Rainbow Fish, or snuggle up with Possum Magic’s Hush and Grandma Poss? 

Are we drawn to illustrated texts because they spark nostalgia, stir emotion and ignite imagination? From picture books, comic books, manga and graphic novels to graphic memoir and illustrated narrative nonfiction: how do images transform the written word? 

Join author-illustrators Sarah Firth (Everything Eventually Connects, Allen & Unwin, 2023) and Judith Rossell (The Midwatch, Hardie Grant, 2024; the Stella Montgomery trilogy, ABC Books, 2014–19) and writer/editor/comic artist Mekdes Yimam for a truly colourful discussion about the enduring appeal of graphic storytelling. 

Featuring

Image is a headshot of Sarah Firth. She is wearing a bright patterned shirt, sitting at a desk in her studio and smiling at the camera.

Sarah Firth

Sarah Firth (she/her) is an artist and writer based on Wurundjeri Country. Her comics have appeared in Eisner Award-winning and Ignatz-nominated anthologies. Her debut graphic novel, Eventually Everything Connects (Allen & Unwin, 2023), was shortlisted for The Prime Minister’s Literary Award and listed as one of The Best Graphic Novels Ever by Refinery29. 

Find Sarah at Instagram @sarahthefirth, sarahthefirth.com, linkedin.com/in/sarahthefirth, facebook.com/SarahTheFirthCreativeServices, Twitter @sarahthefirth and Tiktok @sarahthefirth

Image is a headshot of Judith Rossell. She is wearing a black shirt and glasses, standing in a field. She is smiling widely at the camera.

Judith Rossell

Judith is the author-illustrator of the bestselling, multi-award-winning Stella Montgomery  books (ABC Books, 2014, 2018, 2019) and the new illustrated middle-grade novel The Midwatch (Hardie Grant, 2024). She has written 16 books and illustrated more than 80, and her books have been translated into 20 languages. 

Find Judith at judithrossell.com, Instagram @juderossell and facebook.com/JudithRossellBooks 

Image is a headshot of Mekdes Yimam. She is wearing a blue dress and bright yellow cardigan, standing in front of a red brick wall. She is leaning forward and smiling widely at the camera.

Mekdes Yimam

Mek Yimam is a writer, editor and comic artist based on Jaara Country. She's been published in The Big Issue and contributed to Kill Your Darling's New Australian Fiction as submissions reader and copyeditor. She's currently writing a fiction manuscript, and when she gets around to ticketing admin, she facilitates comic workshops. 

Find Mek at linktr.ee/MekYimam, Instagram @10000hoursleft and wordosaurus.com