Explore the rich history of Japanese manga and beyond, spanning from its origins to the latest digital innovations. The exhibition highlights notable creators, characters, and publications, offering a diverse array of stories, including fantastical folklore, significant historical events, personal memoirs, and thought-provoking expressions of freedom.
Discover renowned and influential creators such as Osamu Tezuka, Miyako Maki, Hur Young Man, and Lat, as well as genre innovators and underrepresented artists like Abhishek Singh and Miki Yamamoto. Witness how their work has left a lasting impact on various forms of artistic expression, including cinema, animation, fashion, visual art, music, and video games.
Curated by Paul Gravett, along with a team of more than twenty international advisors, Asian Comics features an extensive collection of over 500 artworks, representing the largest selection of works from the Asian continent. This includes Japanese woodblock prints, Hindu scroll paintings, digital media, printed comics, and contemporary illustrations.
This unique exhibition serves as a gateway to an unexplored world of graphic storytelling, showcasing its artistic significance and cultural value.
Highlights:
280+ pages of original comic book artwork
116 high-quality facsimiles
200 rare, printed comics
Sculptural works, manga fashion, objects, and artifacts
Multimedia, augmented reality with gesture tracking
Scenic elements
Accompanying book and programming options with artist appearances
5,000 - 10,000 sq. ft.
Adults, families with teens, art enthusiasts
Fourteen (14) days for installation; seven (7) for deinstallation
Three (3) 40 ft. containers + 16 m3 airfreight
Exhibition provided in British English & Italian
October – December 2024
February 2026 and beyond
Asian Comics: Evolution of An Artform has been developed by Barbican Immersive in partnership with Paul Gravett and Thames and Hudson publishing. The international exhibition tour is supported by Flying Fish.
