The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) presents Kate Evans: Threads, an evening with Evans, the acclaimed author, cartoonist, and activist on September 29 at 7:30pm in the Telus Studio Theatre as part of the Beyond Words series. Evans will reveal accounts of hope and hardship from France’s Calais refugee camp as told in her 2017 graphic novel Threads: From the Refugee Crisis. With projected images from her book as the backdrop, and musical accompaniment by Iranian-Canadian hand drummer Hamin Honari, Evans will share a reading followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion.
“As a format long associated with cartoons and superheroes, the graphic novel is evolving into an art form that addresses topical and challenging subjects,” says Wendy Atkinson, Programming Manager of the Chan Centre and curator of the Beyond Words series. “Evans’ book is a perfect example – Threads: From the Refugee Crisis is currently serving as a launch pad for important conversations about prejudice and the politics of borders. We are excited to have Evans here for this live reading and to engage our audiences in dialogue about the vital relationship between the arts and social justice.”
Winner of the 2016 John C. Laurence Award, Threads: From the Refugee Crisis depicts encounters and events during Evans’ time volunteering at the Calais refugee camp. Commonly known as the “Jungle”, the Calais camp was home to more than 8,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, before it was demolished in October of 2016. Upon hearing reports of occupants living in slum conditions, Evans travelled to Calais in 2015 armed with a sketchbook and an open mind.
Following Evans’ reading of Threads: From the Refugee Crisis will be a moderated discussion on the power of art as a response to crisis and a means to inspire social change. The panel will feature Kate Evans alongside other speakers including Fay Nass—a theatre artist and filmmaker who draws from her experiences growing up in war-torn Iran to create provocative works, and Shawk Alani—co-founder of the Iraqi Oral History Project who leads workshops for Syrian children in Vancouver teaching photography as a means of expression and personal narrative.
Chan Centre Beyond Words series presents Kate Evans: Threads
Date: Friday, September 29, 2017 at 7:30pm
Ticket prices: From $20
Address: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts University of British Columbia, 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Box Office: 604-822-2697 / chancentre.com
In person at the Chan Centre ticket office
Open Tue-Sat, 12pm-5pm
Website: chancentre.com
Image by Kate Evans
