Editor’s Note
The comic book produced by Chilean artist Francisca Cárcamo Rojas, known as Panchulei, serves as a documentation of the international conference ‘Imagining the Black Diaspora’, held from 9 January to 10 January 2020. Organised by Dustin Breitenwischer and Jasmin Wrobel, the conference aimed to foster dialogue between cultural production and academic reflection surrounding representations of the Black diaspora across the Americas. Bringing together authors, comic artists, translators, and scholars from various disciplines, the event explored the circulation, distribution, and cultural significance of imagery in Black diasporic literature.
The conference delved into diverse literary practices, including graphic neo-slave narratives, photographic authorial representations, and depictions of Black youth in children’s literature. Discussions encompassed topics such as Black authorship, cultural resistance, stereotyping, and literary market dynamics. Panchulei’s comic book documentation reflects on the academic discourse generated during the event.
This project contributes to an ongoing conversation facilitated by connected keyword projects on Circulation and Value, as well as related themes and theories explored by scholars like James Hodapp and Jasmin Wrobel. The interdisciplinary nature of the conference and its documentation highlights the intersection of visual storytelling, academic inquiry, and cultural critique within the study of the Black diaspora.
For further information about the conference, including its programme and a video detailing Panchulei’s creative process, please refer to the Cluster Website.
