Tommi Parrish's debut graphic novel explores lies and identity
Tommi Parrish, an artist from Australia born in 1989, has released her debut graphic novel titled 'La bugia e come l’abbiamo raccontata' (The Lie and How We Told It), following her earlier short story compilation 'Perfect Hair'. This work, which has already been translated into five languages, is published in Italy by Diabolo Edizioni. The narrative takes place over a single day, centering on two old friends, Clearly and Tim, who unexpectedly reunite. Clearly, a supermarket cashier, grapples with haunting memories and current anxieties, while Tim is on the verge of marrying a woman with a five-year plan, seemingly burying his past. Their dialogue reveals the omissions and fabrications they've constructed around their lives. A discovered booklet within the narrative shares a vibrant yet painful love story. Parrish employs bright colors and stylized, disproportionate figures within standard grids, contrasting them with black-and-white pages for the found diary. In an interview with The Comic Journal, she noted that the book draws from a personal experience, highlighting themes of individuals navigating their lives, sometimes succeeding and other times failing.
Key facts
- Tommi Parrish is an Australian artist born in 1989.
- Her works span painting, sculpture, and comics.
- Her works have been exhibited in Australia, Argentina, New York, and Montréal.
- She currently lives in Montréal.
- 'La bugia e come l’abbiamo raccontata' is her first graphic novel.
- It was published after her short story collection 'Perfect Hair'.
- The graphic novel has been translated into five languages.
- In Italy, it is published by Diabolo Edizioni.
- The story takes place over a single day.
- The protagonists are Clearly and Tim, old friends who meet by chance.
- Clearly works as a supermarket cashier.
- Tim is about to marry a woman with a five-year plan.
- The book includes a found diary about a colorful, painful love.
- Parrish uses vivid colors, sketchy faces, disproportionate bodies, and standard grids.
- The found diary pages are in black and white.
- The book is inspired by an autobiographical episode.
- Parrish's quote from The Comic Journal: 'It's just people living their lives, trying to work it out, and fucking it up sometimes, and not fucking it up other times.'
Entities
Artists
- Tommi Parrish
Institutions
- Diabolo Edizioni
- The Comic Journal
Locations
- Australia
- Argentina
- New York
- Montréal
- Italy
- Torino