Reflections of a dryad : a non-linear graphic novel exploring movement within place

Abstract

The goal of this research is to answer the question “how can a limited movement within place open up opportunities for artistic inquiries?”. This question is elaborated on through a graphic novel focusing on dryads and their role within Greek mythology. The aim is to present a non-linear graphic novel that originates from the practice of walking repeatedly within the same place and collecting information, which has been translated into a script and a series of illustrations as well as the publication which utilizes concertina pages and other physical manipulations of the publication’s pages. To gather information for the project’s creation, an auto-ethnographic approach was adopted, allowing me to become the dryad so as to fully understand how this character develops and evolves. The project offers an alternative perspective of dryads within a contemporary context. It focuses on the notion of being in a restricted place and engaging with the specific characteristics of that place. Following repeated walks in my village, I was able to collect and translate information into a graphic novel that allows for diverse meanings and interpretations.