As the beat continues to report on the 2025 Mocca Fest, we are excited to focus on real industry legends and master satirists –R. Sikoryak. For over 30 years, Sikoryak has brought his keen wit and unique style to the comics, working with icons like this Art Spiegelman And in New Yorker,,,,, Draw and quarterlysurpass. His works even appeared in Daily performance and Jon Stewart.
When he did not create, he inspired the next generation of artists among Parsons’ teachers. At Mocca ’25, he will be for sale His latest comics, Whaling sketch, beside Chronicles of the Body #3,up to date Wilberg’s crownS Graphic Memoir series (who posted next to him).
Sikoryak’s system of works covers a wide range of art styles and themes, but many fans still remember The intriguing Trump Starting in 2017 – a 48-page Treasury annual comic satire…well, you know who.
You can view these pages as well as the interviews below. Support comics! Embrace irony!
Christian Angeles: You’re already a bit like a legend in a comic book, but can you tell your audience about people who aren’t familiar with your work?
Sikoryak: I’m R. Sikoryak, and I’m adapting the famous (and infamous) text to comics, I’m working with Wilberg’s Trimits comics focus on graphic medicine.
My freelance career is very diverse. My illustrations and comics have appeared on the cover of The New Yorker, as well as Nick Magazine, Crazy, Esquire, Fortune and other publications. Also, I made some illustrations for the plot of “Daily Show”. Over the past 15 years, I have worked on many animation projects with Augenblick Studios (including their current PBS children’s exhibition City Island).
Me too Recently illustrations of three comic stories written by Tom Hanks It was a great experience in his novel, Making a Masterpiece of Another Movie.
I also taught for 20 years at Parsons in the illustration department, and students are working on very eclectic works. Not only comics and animations, but also paintings, toys, games, etc. It is encouraging to see young artists react to the world and to do their own ways in this ever-changing artistic landscape. I continue to host Carousel, my long-term comic performance seriesIt has nearly 300 artists since I started making the show since 1997. We performed at theaters and galleries around New York City and at comics and book festivals in the United States and Canada.
I don’t have much original words to say about art as a way of expression, but comics are a great channel for personal feelings and opinions, and they are more direct than other introduction experiences.
Also, since 2009, I have published four books, with paintings and quarters each. Each book has different formats and themes, but there is a certain consistency from my perspective. I am currently working on my next book that will make the Declaration of Independence and other American documents declared as comics in over 100 styles. Additionally, I created black and white mini comics based on poetry and other texts that sometimes grow into graphic novels. For example, I adjusted the terminology and conditions of iTunes to comics as an accompanying project and ended up publishing in a full-color book.
Angels: OK, what are you promoting and selling on the table this year?
Sikoryak: Our latest mini comic is mine Whaling sketch (Inspired by historical images Moby Dick) and Kriota’s graphic memoirs, Chronicle of the Body #3. Plus, we have many other books and magazines.
Over the past 15-20 years, I have used Photoshop and Cinque drawing monitors to draw most of my comics digitally. It will certainly speed up the process and can be revised more easily, but I realize I’ve actually lost my traditional form of art production. So last March, I decided to do a drawing on paper for at least 15 minutes a day. I started with the inspired drawings Moby Dick, based on Old whaling images and illustrations about the novel. I collected them into a 56-page magazine called Whaling sketchI am very happy with the response. This is completely different from my other works. It’s more primitive and impressionist.
Since Kriota Willberg with me, we have worked on many different art projects (including drama and film). About 15 years ago, when she started making comics, we started performing at comic festivals all over the United States. It’s really fun; it’s the other side of the comics process.
Angels: It looks really good! Well, what are you most excited to see and/or do on this year’s Mocca Fest over the years?
Sikoryak: Kriota and I are hosting the panel with great guests. Kriota hosted “Painting the Bodies” at 3pm Saturday with Chloé Wary & Lale Westvind. I’ll host one of mine Carousel Read the comics at 3pm Sunday with Caroline Cash, Bim Eriksson, Olivia Fields, John Vasquez Mejias and Katie Skelly.
Be mine Carousel Performing at festivals is always exciting because it attracts not only local talent but also visiting artists. In this case, half of the show is someone I’ve worked with before (I’m so glad to be back), and the other half is someone I’m glad to meet for the first time. What always gets me involved in comic reading is that every artist brings a different approach to their speech. Sometimes they introduce different elements, such as props or music, while other times it is just a matter of experiencing people with artworks, which can be a revelation. I’ve always loved live performances, and it’s an exciting hybrid. Also, as someone who spends a lot of time alone. It is exciting to have a live audience react to your work. It is best to hear laughter or breathing when you appear.
Kriota is adjusting “Painting the Body” Saturday at 3pm with Chloé Wary & Lale Westvind. Kriota teaches art and anatomy, and the group will be characterized by various perspectives and manifestations.
She likes the modest panels because it gives her the opportunity to read the authors, meet them and have in-depth discussions.
Angels: How deep! Speaking of fascinating, what do you think of Mocca Fest?
Sikoryak: I think it is See the New York community (makers and fans) and connect with visiting artists. I almost attended the Mocca Fest since the early 2000s, when it returned to the hockey building.
Sometimes I go to autograph books, medium panels, or just browse the floor. I really like to connect with other artists. Once Kriota and I both started to create mini comics, we also started performing on the show, which was a new experience for me. That could be around 2012 and we have some new materials every year so it can be solved.
I’ve been doing carousels at Mocca several times over the past 20 years, and that’s always a highlight. I think it’s a good thing to bring myself into the world, and I get a lot of energy in front of the audience. In addition, comic fans are very enthusiastic and dedicated. The evolution of comics has been crazy over the past 20 years. Media, media and business have all come a long way.
Angeles: Finally, most importantly, why do you think indie comics are so important now?
Sikoryak: Regarding today’s freedom of speech, independent comics are one of the easiest and cheapest forms of expression around.
Comic creators often view comics as a means of self-expression and representation. Of course, throughout history there are many comics that emphasize social commentary, satirize current affairs and encourage political action. Regardless of your interests, it’s relatively easy for you to do this yourself (or with friends).
There is no supervision or editorial intervention in the mini comics! And, obviously, social media can have a lot of influence, but algorithms and other problems can avoid interaction.
If you can draw a comic and print it out, you can distribute it yourself and get a response immediately. It’s about the most intimate and personal experience.
rsikoryak.com
http://carouselslideshow.com
https://www.instagram.com/rsikoryak/
R. Sikoryak will be held at Mocca ’25, with his latest work on Table 122. If you want to attend Mocca Fest 2025 in New York, click here.
