Black to the Future presents: The Other in Fantasy

Thursday 8 February 2024, 7pm

Exploring representation in Fantasy.

Corey Brotherson, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson and Symoné explore representation in fantasy and the evolution of the Other

The Other in Fantasy has worn many faces, from alien sandworms to warring orcs, embodying fears of the unknown and the exotic, traditionally from a Western perspective. Corey Brotherson's writing often delves into the struggles of forging an identity within hostile spaces; Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson writes about marginalised people saving the world; and Symoné, a multidisciplinary artist and video game developer, explores and creates fantasy through a multitude of media, through a queer and Black lens.

Examining their own work, and examples in books, comics, films and games, they’ll discuss intersectional narratives, the reinvention of fantasy in genres such as Ken Liu’s silkpunk and solarpunk, as exemplified by Black Panther; and the importance of dismantling stereotypes in fantasy.