BY CROM'S DIM EYES

General update and winter best wishes!

Dec 20, 2024

This will be my final update for the year (probably!) so I wanted to share a couple of things I’ve been doing, and also just wanted to wish you all a very enjoyable winter break. I think the new year is promising us lots of global challenges and ongoing tragedies, but it’s up to us to find happiness - and promote kindness - as and where we can. I do my best not to add to the negativity out there in the world.

To which end - first up here’s a couple of sneak peeks at my recent Conan work, by Crom’s dim eyes! I continue to be absolutely loving this. The lettering here is not final. I’ve taken to script-editing via the word balloons, as it helps me see how the pages themselves will actual read, and how well (or not) they flow.

And for anybody curious, this is how my Cernunnos pot turned out after it was glazed and fired. I’m so pleased with it! It has a kind of vintage, antique feel I absolutely love!

I’m also extremely delighted to report that my Madeira exhibit at the Centro Cultural e de Investigação do Funchal has opened! I understand it has proven to be very popular so far! I cannot wait to visit in January and see it for myself! Pics of the show below!

Here’s the associated blurb and some pics!

Centro Cultural e de Investigação do Funchal (CCIF): Liam Sharp Exhibition

The “Centro Cultural e de Investigação do Funchal” (CCIF) presents, starting December 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM, “ENCORE: THE ART OF LIAM SHARP,” an exhibition celebrating the acclaimed British artist internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in comics. Running until February 2025, this exhibition marks the first showcase of Liam Sharp’s art in Portugal.

About the CCIF

The CCIF is housed in the historic former “Matadouro” building in Funchal, inaugurated in 1940, which has been restored and repurposed as a space for artistic creation, cultural promotion, and scientific and technological research. With a diverse program of performances, exhibitions, conferences, and social activities, the CCIF aims to blend the old with the new, fostering creativity, imagination, and active solidarity among the city’s various stakeholders, leaving no one behind.

Exhibition Overview

Curated by Roberto Macedo Alves, from Sétima Dimensão—the only comic publisher in Madeira Island—this exhibition features 71 pieces, including original artwork from Liam Sharp’s upcoming projects, such as “CONAN: THE WUTHERING” and “SPAWN: THE DARK AGES”, as well as unpublished and personal works and monumental reproductions of his career-defining art, with panels exceeding one meter in height. These works showcase Sharp’s creative process, from initial sketches to completed pieces, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the intricacies of his craft.

Curatorial Vision

According to the curator, the exhibition’s goal is to celebrate Liam Sharp’s creativity and highlight the breadth and depth of his work. The display balances his commercially successful projects for Marvel and DC with his independent, experimental, and creator-owned endeavors. Glass displays feature published works such as Spider-Man (Clone Saga), Hulk (with Peter David), Testament (with Douglas Rushkoff), and Green Lantern (with Grant Morrison), as well as his prose work, such as God Killers.

The main objective, however, is to emphasize Liam Sharp’s revolutionary contributions to his independent and creator-owned projects, which push the narrative boundaries of the medium. His work demonstrates how comics can deliver meaningful and expressive experiences and narratives, showcasing the unique storytelling potential of this art form through the innovative combination of graphic styles—both digital and traditional—and diverse storytelling approaches.

Exhibition Sections

The exhibition is divided into thematic sections, offering an educational and enriching experience:

Original Works: Sketches, pencil drawings, revisions, and inked finishes from published works, illustrating various stages of production.
Personal and Unpublished Works: Early career pieces, including collaborations with his mentor Don Lawrence and works created using both traditional and digital techniques.
Publications for American Publishers: Iconic characters such as Spawn and Conan the Barbarian.
StarHenge and ORE: A special focus on StarHenge (Image Comics) and the graphic novel ORE.
Short Narratives: Reproductions of short stories showcasing Sharp’s pioneering use of digital tools in combination with traditional techniques.
Works for Madefire Inc.: Art developed for Madefire Inc., a platform founded by Sharp in 2011, which pioneered interactive comics with movement and sound.

Visitors can also view a video interview with Liam Sharp, providing insights into his work, creative process, and significant contributions to the world of comics.

Liam Sharp’s Visit to Madeira

Liam Sharp will visit Madeira during the last week of January 2025.

On January 25, the artist will personally guide visitors through the exhibition at the CCIF, sharing insights into the displayed works and his creative process.

This guided tour will be followed by a Q&A session and an autograph signing, offering fans a rare opportunity to interact with this renowned comic creator.