The Big Bad Bitterkomix Handbook

Over the last ten years or so, Bitterkomix has been (as one critic remarks) "consistently challenging and outrageous, undeniably brilliant, and impossible to ignore". Internationally, the Bitterkomix duo of Anton Kannemeyer and Conrad Botes stand at the forefront of the new international expressionist comix movement. Locally, they have raised a storm of controversy through their assault on the Afrikaner cultural mainstream, which they have developed into a broader critique of South African society.
 
The Big Bad Bitterkomix Handbook brings together the full range of Kannemeyer and Botes' work produced from the mid-1990s until now, including published covers, postcards, posters and drawings from personal sketchbooks. Interspersed with these images, and providing both context and comment, are a number of essays and addresses by such commentators as Antjie Krog, Andy Mason, Ryk Hattingh and Gregory Kerr. The resultant book, which has been designed by Garth Walker of Orange Juice Design, is an essential chronicle, catalogue and visual cornucopia of the work of the Bitterkomix artists.

Conrad Botes (Konradski), studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Stellenbosch. Here he met Anton Kannemeyer (Joe Dog), and together they founded the magazine Bitterkomix in 1992. Conrad Botes and Anton Kannemeyer continue to publish their work in Bitterkomix, and regularly exhibit in South Africa and Europe.

The Big Bag Bittercomix was launched at the Michael Stevenson Gallery in October, click here to visit the website.