IITGN set to host Comics Conclave 3.0

IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) is set to host Comics Conclave 3.0; a celebration of comics and storytelling, where art, ideas, and imagination, all come alive in an electrifying festival of creative exchange. As IITGN’s flagship comics festival, it brings together leading artists, writers, scholars, storytellers, and enthusiasts to explore the world of visual and graphic narratives in education, research, and social discourse. 

The Comics Conclave was established and curated three years ago with the mission to bridge the divide between academic inquiry and creative practice. The second iteration enabled us to broaden our perspective and examine the comic medium from diverse perspectives. In order to create a forum for free thought, the conclave gathered together academicians, comics journalists, comics artists, fine artists, writers, editors, and students from various backgrounds. This event is organised annually by Prof Argha Manna, Artist-in-Residence, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Prof Jaison A Manjaly, Jasubhai Memorial Chair Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences (Jointly with Cognitive and Brain Sciences department), and Co-PI and PI, Curiosity Lab, IITGN.

Building on the success of its first two editions, Comics Conclave 3.0 will continue cultivating conversations on how comics serve as more than just artistic expressions; they amplify marginalised voices and inspire real change. This year’s conclave, set for April 5-6, 2025, will spotlight themes such as environmental and social justice through comics, comics in vernacular, and the use of art as a pedagogical tool for children.

Key event highlights include keynote talks and panel discussions, the debut screening of Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse! in India, comics exhibition, comics “adda” with Sarbajit Sen, nature sketch as narrative drawing with Suman Chowdhury, and comic book stalls and flea market. The event is open to school children, college students, educators, researchers, and artists without registration fees. Participation is open to individuals from across India. To register for the event and to receive regular updates, visit the official website, Curiosity Lab at IITGN.