The Australian Association of Writing Programs

Disaster Dialogues: representations of trauma in word and image
8 - 15th February 2012 - APWN site.
 

The catastrophic natural events of 2011 drew attention (again) to the visual display of the suffering of others, most notably witnessed in the effects of the Japanese tsunami and Christchurch earthquake. Concurrently, the recent AAWP conference featured many papers concerned with representations of various forms and experiences of trauma, many of these papers making meaningful use of images (even if only for presentation purposes). While my particular area of interest is in the area of the illustrated book, this asynchronous workshop aims to create an open space for the discussion of trauma narratives in relation to any formation of word and image as an essential meaning-making dialogue. Issues, problems and questions in relation to writing practice are particularly welcome, in addition to contributions to theoretical discussions.

 

Related areas

Trauma—Visual Narrative—Photography—Disasters of Humanity

 

Dr Ross Watkins is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. His Doctoral novel was shortlisted for the 2011 Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Emerging Author, and his award-winning short fiction and non-fiction has been published in Australian and international anthologies. Ross’ scholarly interests are diverse but primarily concerned with visual narrative and writing for the illustrated book, as well as narrative representations of trauma and melancholy. Ross is an Executive Committee member of the Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP), short story editor for the scholarly journal Social Alternatives, and is a regular presenter at the Brisbane Writers’ Festival and a literary judge. His first major publication, The Boy Who Grew Into A Tree (Penguin Books), is an illustrated book written by Gary Crew and will be published mid-2012.

To be involved, just go to GROUPS and join the one with this title. When the 8th of Februrary comes, Ross, along with your workshop colleagues, will begin discussions on this area. You can participate via email, or via the APWN site.

Further questions: contact: antoniapont [at] googlemail [dot] com.