Leela Corman
(New York, 1972) is an American graphic novelist and cartoonist. Her book Meideles (original title: Unterzakhn, which means "underwear") was also published in Dutch. This 2012 book in particular brought her international attention. In Meideles she portrays the twin sisters Esther and Fanya in a New York Jewish immigrant neighbourhood at the start of the 20th century, whose mother runs a corset shop. The sisters grow apart when Esther becomes a prostitute. Corman sketches a wonderful portrait of the Lower East Side, and of the hypocrisy and conservatism of New York's immigrant community at that time. She studied painting and illustration, works for The New York Times and other publications, and is a belly dancer.
Past events
Sex, Comics, and Weltschmerz
Graphic novelists Leela Corman of New York and the Walloon Dominique Goblet engage in conversation with Peter Breedveld about the harsh realities and personal tragedies behind their art, and about the sensual merging of text and drawings.
Tear Down the Wall
Muhammad Aladdin (Egypt), Niña Weijers (NL), and graphic novelist Leela Corman (US) touch on sensitive issues in their work. "If a man isn't willing to stand behind his opinions, either his opinions are no good or he's no good," said poet Ezra Pound. Do art and literature create a safe environment for breaking taboos?
