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Sina Shamsavari (born October 22, 1976) is a comic artist and author in the queer punk zine movement. Born in Manchester, Shamsavari grew up in an area where being queer was not accepted. He has published queer zines and comics such as Art Fag, Boy Crazy Boy, Concerned Muthers, Dirty Mind, and Pretty Boys Ignore You. His work has been included in anthologies including No Straight Lines, Publish You and QU33R.[1][2][3][4][5]
Sina Shamsavari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 October 22 Manchester, UK |
| Other names | Sina Sparrow, Sina Evil |
| Education | Kings College |
| Occupation | Lecturer at the London College of Fashion |
| Notable work | Boy Crazy Boy, Concerned Muthers, Art Fag |
| Website | https://www.sinasparrow.co.uk/ |
Sina Shamsavari earned a Doctorate in Philosophy from King's College, London, with the thesis Gay Comics and Queer Male Alternative Comics in America: History, Conventions, and Challenges.[6] He currently works as a Lecturer in Cultural and Historical Studies at the London College of Fashion.[7] Shamsavari studies and writes about the history and importance of queer zines and comics.[8][9] He examines the works of authors such as Robert Kirby and Jon Macy.[10]
Early life
editShamsavari was born in 1976 in Manchester, UK, to Iranian parents. Growing up during a time where homophobia was prevalent, at 16 years old, Shamsavari was influenced by Trina Robbins, Robert Kirby, Jon Macy, and Larry-Bob Roberts to start publishing queer zines.
Career
editShamsavari began publishing during the queer punk movement, which emerged in the 1980s and thrived in the 1990s. This movement, not just a phenomenon but a subculture, aimed to challenge hetero-normative thinking and conventional punk behavior. [11] Contributions to this subculture not only included zines and comics, but also music, books, and other forms of media. In an interview with Beige Magazine, Shamsavari emphasized diversity, stating: "it's important for people from different backgrounds to take an active role in creating their own culture, and not simply taking in what mainstream media promotes".[12] Shamsavari wanted to "put more idiosyncratic and interesting" comics out there.[12]
Beginning with Concerned Muthers, Shamsavari later published Atomic Love, Boy Crazy Boy,[2][13] and appeared in anthologies such as Robert Kirby's Book of Boy Trouble.[14] A lot of Shamsavari's works, especially Boy Crazy Boy, center around the theme of wanting to elaborate on the experience of growing up queer in a world that doesn't accept said queerness. His comics strove to legitimize and normalize being queer in the 1990s.
In addition to his comics, Shamsavari has also worked in illustration for companies such as Healthy Gay Living Centre, Glam, and the Terrence Higgins Trust.[12]
Notable works
editConcerned Muthers
editAn anthology comic marketed towards "queer teens and straight mates."[15] Ran for 7 issues and had supernatural stories with demons and fairies.[16] Laurence Roberts, the author of Holy Titclamps published 'Concerned Muthers' in one of his queer zine explosions.[17]
Boy Crazy Boy
editAn autobiographical comic regarded as his most popular work. It took a humorous tone while addressing the real thoughts, troubles, and instances of a queer man in the 1990s.[2]
Art Fag (UK)
editA self-published series in which Shamsavari humorously recounts moments from his daily life. It blends moments of romantic life with family life.[18][19]
References
edit- ^ "TRANSITIONS 5 – New Directions in Comics Studies 2014 Birkbeck, University of London" (PDF). comicsforum.org. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Shamsavari, Sina, Boy Crazy Boy #1, retrieved 2022-10-25
- ^ Whaley, Geoff (30 May 2018). "Book 549: No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics – Justin Hall (Ed.)". geoffwhaley.com.
- ^ "Sina, Shamsavari (2014) If you want me to I will be the one that is always good. [Art/Design Item]". UAL Research Online. 2014.
- ^ "Sina Shamsavari". Intellect Books.
- ^ "Sina Shamsavari". King's College London. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Cultural and Historical Studies". London College of Fashion. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "International Journal of Comic Art (IJOCA) - Since 1999". www.ijoca.net. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Hall, Justin (17 July 2012). "No Straight Lines: A Collection of Queer Comics (2 of 3)". The Rumpus.
- ^ "Items where Author is "Shamsavari:Sina::" - UAL Research Online". ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Shamsavari, Sina (November 2017). "The History of Gay Male Comics in America from Before Stonewall to the 21st Century". International Journal of Comic Art. 19 (2).
- ^ a b c "Beige Magazine Vol 2 Issue 4 by What 4 Media Ltd - Issuu". issuu.com. December 2009. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ^ "Sina Shamsavari". lambiek.net. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
- ^ Kirby, Robert; David, Kelly (2006). The book of boy trouble: gay boy comics with a new attitude. [San Francisco, Calif.], [Berkeley, Calif.]: Green Candy. ISBN 978-1-931160-45-2. OL 23099040M.
- ^ "Sina - ZineWiki - the history and culture of zines, independent media and the small press". zinewiki.com. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
- ^ Shamsavari, Sina, Concerned Muthers #6, retrieved 2022-10-25
- ^ "WordPress.com". WordPress.com. Retrieved 2022-11-29. [full citation needed]
- ^ "Art Fag #1 « The Gay Comics List". gaycomicslist.free.fr. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ^ Shamsavari, Sina (2014). "ART FAG no. 1". ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-29.