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Varoom Issue 38 – Activism

posted by Amber Weaver September 20, 2018

For their latest Activism issue, Varoom’s new editor Olivia Ahmad has curated a fascinating selection of artwork and viewpoints. From Samandal, the Lebanese comics collection battling state censorship to Tara Books feminist adaptations of traditional Indian stories, this saucy issue also showcases some pretty sweet illustration including an in-your-face cover illustration from NY based Bráulio Amado as it’s cover.

Contained within its pages, Varoom’s 38th issue includes an assortment of powerful topics by some very influential people. You can find a discussion with Jon Halls about his fictional property development company set up to advocate for the value of green spaces, Mona Chalabi on her drawn information data on issues from abortion to wage inequality, Seb Chaloner’s animations chucking a brick through the windows of exclusive members clubs and the zines working to change under-representation in the publishing world.

In addition, you can find the likes of activist Seth Tobocman who discusses his comic on the transportation of fracked oil through Albany, New York and the housing projects residents fighting the dangers the occasionally exploding trains bring. Stuart Lang assesses how the credibility of brands can be in the balance when they adopt movements for equality and empowerment as part of their promotional activities. Whilst Margaret Cubbage examins the role graphics have played in protest and campaigns for change, and in ‘Contested Spaces’, Emily Jost, founder member of Artists Against Cleansing and Ian Whadcock, Senior Lecturer at Manchester School of Art give their views on developer-led commissioning – is it always artwashing?

Some interesting topics right? We were astounded by the number of fascinating discussions found within this issue, it’s incredibly important that we use design not only to make the world look nice but to challenge certain things so that they are put up for debate, to make the world a better place. It’s a powerful thing, design.

Published bi-annually by the Association of Illustrators. Varoom 38 Activism, September 2018, 84 pages, available in specialist bookshops and assorted newsstands in the UK, Europe and other countries. Varoom is edited by Olivia Ahmad and art directed and designed by James Lunn.