15th International Illustration Research Symposium - ‘Apparatus: the role of Technology in Illustration’

Jac and Lee have just returned from the 15th International Illustration Research Symposium - ‘Apparatus: the role of Technology in Illustration’ at Koç University, Istanbul, where they both got to deliver papers.

It was a Fascinating mix of all things illustration, Ceri Amphlett (also from UoP illustration) had a poster paper on show and Nicola Hay and Ros Simms (also part of the illustration team) both had their research cited in other talks. YAY!  Illustration.

Jac spoke about zines, Zineopolis and how illustrators are sharing their frustrations of social media and their disillusionment with the promise of technology. She also got to share her own practice. Lee spoke about punch cards and sound weaving in book arts. His micro library books and musical books were much appreciated.

There was a great zine created for the conference speakers by students from Anglia Ruskin University, University of the Arts London, Koç University and Mimar Sinai Fine Arts University, whichis now in the Zineopolis collection.

So energising to share ideas and practice with colleagues in a city full of cats.
Thanks to the organisers 👏👏👏
nanette hoogslag Ilgim Veryeri Alaca and Dilek Yördem

Symposum webiste: https://illustrationresearch.org/archive

Apparatus: The Role of Technology in Illustration

Apparatus: The Role of Technology in Illustration
Collaborative zine created to accompany the 15th Illustration Research Symposium held
21–22 Nov 2025, Koç University, Istanbul

Zine created for the conference speakers by students from Anglia Ruskin University, University of the Arts London, Koç University, and Mimar Sinai Fine Arts University.
A5 prints on the theme of technology and illustration collected into a pack with belly band.

Machines, appliances, gizmos, and contraptions have always been a part of illustration, enabling illustrators to transform their thoughts into real-life forms. The machine’s abilities, aesthetics, and impacts on humanity have always been a source of inspiration and concern. With the discussion raging around artificial intelligence as a game-changing technology, and when computers seem to inextricably serve as parts of creation and of our lives, perhaps it is time to take stock and consider the long-established but fluctuating relationship between illustration and the machine.  Symposium website (2025)

Symposium Website: https://kuarc.ku.edu.tr/research-symposium/ 

Zineopolis Guest Talk at Nottsfest 2025

Sat 11th November was the Nottszinefest @NottsZineFest, in Nottingham Central Library, UK.

Thanks to Matt and Craig from NTU and Raw Print for the invite, it was a pleasure to share some of the wonderful zines we have in our collection. I selected examples to of perzines, collaborative zines, tech zines and mental health zines. Lots to see and do with stalls packed out throughout the day.

Zino Loci - Issue 1

Introducing ZINO LOCI a shared imaginary location that seeks to bring visual and creative voices together annually on shared themes. Zineopolis is excited to welcome a new collaborative zine project between students at the University of Portsmouth, UK and Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. The project will be run collectively by Jac Batey, Nicolas Verstappen,  and Jonathan Scott.

The first issue of this collaborative zine is themed around GUILT and SHAME. The contributors explored how these complex emotions are visualised through narrative, comics, sequential illustration and artistic expression. Printed in Portsmouth, UK (2023)

See the link to the Zino Loci website for more info.    Zino Loci Website

'About Zineopolis' - Interview with Melissa Marino and Jac all about our art-zines

Over the summer, I was interviewed by Melissa Marino - editor/writer at Coretext for SOLVE magazine. This is a short film I put together of the discussion with lots of added images of zines from our collection. In this short film, we chat about all things zines and why Zineopolis (est.2007) is focussing primarily on art-zines.

Exhibition in Eldon Foyer

There's an exhibition of art zines from Zineopolis currently on show in the Eldon Foyer.

Drop by and have a look.

British Library Event: Zines as a resource for social history

It was great to be invited to give a presentation about Zineopolis at a Brisith Library Round Table Discussion yesterday.

Programme: Zines as a resource for social history
9 September 2016, 14:00 - 17:00 in the Eliot Room, British Library Conference Centre.

Hosted by Debbie Cox (Lead Curator of Contemporary British Publications) and Fearghus Roulston (PhD student working with the British Library's zine collection).

There were six speakers at this event
Thanks to Helen Byrne for the photos (Assistant Web Archivist, Contemporary British Published Collections)

• Rebecca Claire-Binns Pop, Politics and Punk Fanzines (1976-84) 

• Chris Warne French zines produced in the middle 1970s, as part of a broader shift from counter-cultural to punk sensibilities 

• Jackie Batey Zineopolis and how an art-zine collection can support research

• Bill Osgerby Missing Pages - Subcultures and Some (Very) Early Zine Scenes

• David Wilkinson 'I Wanna See Some History': Fanzines as a Resource for Academic and Popular Research

• Fearghus Roulston on zines, the archive and boredom (also the event organiser)

A great afternoon some fascinating conversations and lots to think about.
Thanks to Fearghus and Debbie for organising everything.

British Library to archive Zineopolis's Blog for future researchers!

Woo-hoo! Zineopolis has been selected by the British Library for their ukwebarchive project.

"Its purpose is to give permanent online access to key UK websites for future generations.The UK Web Archive contains websites that publish research, that reflect the diversity of lives, interests and activities throughout the UK, and demonstrate web innovation."

So, If we have your zine, the British Library now keeps a record of it too. Nice one.
http://www.webarchive.org.uk/ukwa/

Confia16 - Presentation about art-zines.

I was really pleased to get my paper about art-zines accepted for Confia16.

The conference is on illustration and animation and this year its venue was the
lovely TEATRO GIL VICENTE in Barcelos, Portugal.
(I'll add a link to my paper, when it becomes available).

My presentation title:
Satirical zines about computers, apps and social media: Art-zines from the Zineopolis Collection. 

For more on Confia - http://www.confia.ipca.pt/

Zine Fair in Portsmouth - The Gold Room

"Join us for whole day to celebrate zines and zine culture. From DIY music zines to beautiful screen printed illustrative stories. There will be collections on loan from Portsmouth University's Zineopolis and from artist Lizz Lunney's via Birmingham City Museums Zine Festival.
Live drawing, stalls, music, zine swap and prizes."

Saturday, 30 March 2013 

11:00 until 17:00
The Gold Room at Room 237
76 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1LN Portsmouth

For more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/494767900560650/

Cheltenham Illustration Awards

October 2008, Guest lecture by Jackie Batey about starting the Zineopolis Collection and independent publishing for students.Many examples of zines held in the collection were shown onscreen and handed round the audience.

"A one day Symposium that explores autonomous career pathways for Illustration graduates and professionals. We have a distinguished line-up of speakers, who are all keen to discuss the proposal that illustrators will only find creative satisfaction through self-expression and creating work that is meaningful to them, and not dependent on short-lived trends or dictates of the graphic design industry. The Symposium will take place at Pittville Studios, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham on Wednesday the 15 October 2008, and will coincide with the presentation ceremony of the second Cheltenham Illustration Awards."
Promotional Copy

Press & Release Zines and Artists' Book Exhibition

Phoenix Gallery in Brighton, UK.
26 April – 7 June, 2008
The Press & Release Zines Exhibition is great and well worth a visit. I visited the exhibition on behalf of Zineopolis and bought a selection of books and zines for the collection.

Zineopolis Exhibition

Zineopolis Exhibition in The University Library, University of Portsmouth
22nd February -14th March 2008
Zineopolis is showing some examples of our growing collection.