Zánka (Lake Balaton) & Budapest, Hungary

From 17 September to 1 October 2023, Women Power in Comics hosted its second artist-in-residence programme at both Lake Balaton in Zánka and Budapest, Hungary, organised by the Bakelit Multi Art Center. This residency was intended for comic artists seeking a break from urban settings to collaborate with local artists from the vibrant comics and zine community, and interested in exploring how performing arts, particularly dance and movement, could be integrated into illustration and comics.

During the residency, participating artists worked on their personal projects while also engaging in regular collaborative sessions. The twelve residents shared their time between Zánka, a town by Hungary's largest lake, Balaton, and Budapest. Additionally, they had the opportunity to explore the comics-related programmes of the PesText festival in Budapest.

Under the guidance of mentors Márton Hegedűs, a comic book artist, graphic designer, and animation film director, and Dr. Eszter Szép, an instructor in comics, visual culture, and creative writing, residents created new works inspired by WOMCOM’s key topics, challenging stereotypical perceptions of women in comics. In parallel, they investigated how movement and

dance could influence comic creations and illustrations. For this aspect of the residency, contemporary dance artist Márta Ladjánszki conducted occasional dance/movement sessions. These workshops did not require prior dance training or qualifications, as they used movement and music as tools for generating creative ideas.

Following the residency, the artists exhibited their works in a group show at the Bakelit Multi Art Center on 30 September.