How can self-publishing be used as a tool to address, challenge and fight against social injustice? In what ways is self-publishing being used in social movements today to inform, educate and bring about change? Taking inspiration from cultural and political activist John La Rose, cartoonist Naji al Ali, the magazine Gidra, and groups such as See Red Women’s Workshop, the panel discussion aims to explore how artists and activists across the globe are using self-publishing to address urgent issues today.

Panelists Leila Abdelrazaq (author and artist), Marc Fischer (Temporary Services), Tempestt Hazel (independent curator), Sheika Lugtu (cartoonist and researcher) and members of OOMK share their perspectives and discuss the different ways that artists and activists in their communities are self-publishing for activism. The session is introduced by Yesomi Umolu, Logan Center Exhibitions Curator.

Presented by Logan Center Exhibitions and the Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS
OOMK (Sofia Niazi, Rose Nordin and Heiba Lamara) has operated since 2013 as an artist collective specializing in print practices exploring intersections of art, activism and publishing. OOMK publishes a biannual zine that explores diasporic activism and the art and identities of women. OOMK recently completed a residency investigating the future aesthetic, function and user culture of the ‘library’ at Open School East with Book Works, London resulting in the new publication ‘The Library Was’. OOMK co-organizes DIY Cultures Festival in East London with Other Asias and currently runs Rabbits Road Press, a community Risograph printing press in East London. For more information about OOMK, please visit http://oomk.net/ or http://rabbitsroad.press/

Leila Abdelrazaq is a Chicago-born, Palestinian author and artist. Her debut graphic novel, Baddawi (Just World Books, 2015) was shortlisted for the 2015 Palestine Book Awards. Her creative work primarily explores issues related to diaspora, refugees, history, memory and borders. Leila has been involved in organizing around the Palestinian cause and the city of Chicago since 2011. She is currently a core member of For The People Artist’s Collective. She is also the founder of Bigmouth Press & Comix.

Marc Fisher runs Temporary Services along with co-collaborater Brett Bloom. Created in Chicago in 1998, Temporary Services produces exhibitions, events, projects, and publications. In 2008 Temporary Services expanded to create Half Letter Press, a publishing imprint and online store and have produced over 115 publications.

Tempestt Hazel is an independent curator, writer and director of Sixty Inches From Center, an arts publication and archiving initiative. Over the years she has worked in arts adminstration, curating, and multidisciplinary programming at Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Chicago Artists Coalition, Chicago Park District, and Arts + Public Life at the University of Chicago. Her writing has been published in Support Networks, Institutions and Imaginaries, and Unfurling: Explorations in Art, Activism and Archiving, as well as for Artslant, Hyde Part Art Center, the Broad Museum MSU and Duke University.

Sheika Lugtu is a Chicago-based cartoonist and researcher. Her work with the Ladydrawers centers on the impact of economics, race, sexuality, and gender on the comics industry, the media, and our culture at large. She wears many hats including freelance illustrator, teaching artist, organizer, and volunteer with Chicago Alternative Comics Expo. Most recently her work has been exhibited in the Figge Art Museum, published on Truthout.org and PEN America; and she was recently awarded the Saari Residency through the KONE Foundation, Finland.

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Tags: Chicago, Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry, Hyde Park, Leila Abdelrazaq, Marc Fischer, OOMK, Self-publishing for Activism, Sheika Lugtu, Tempestt Hazel.