I'm hard of hearing. The pandemic has introduced unique challenges — but I'm learning to overcome them.
There are already lots of roadblocks in society for people with disabilities
Saturday, January 30, 2021
That darn Speed Bump
There's no app for that
Ellen Raphaeli, Falls Church
Washington Post January 30 2021 p. A17
Friday, January 29, 2021
The Smithsonian notices Wonder Woman 1984 came out and some places looked familiar
How 'Wonder Woman 1984' Was Filmed at the Smithsonian
Strange Adventures #8 reviewed
'Strange Adventures' #8 review
Strange Adventures remains one of the most meaningful superhero stories on the stands today.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Bon Voyage to Martha Kennedy of the Library of Congress
Martha Kennedy retires from being a paid comics historian at the Library of Congress tomorrow to being an unpaid one! We wish her luck. Martha wrote several exhibits, collected a bunch of comic art, oversaw the Swann Foundation scholarship, and authored a book on women cartoonists in the collection of the Library, Drawn to Purpose. When it's time to relax...
Her colleagues commissioned this caricature from Mike Jenkins.
Roye Okupe / YouNeek Studios sign with Dark Horse, start animation
Which Will Release Past and Future Works
by Milton Griepp on January 28, 2021
He dreamed of creating his own African superhero universe. Now it's finally paying off. [Roye Okupe / YouNeek Studios]
Washington Post Jan. 27, 2021
YouNeek plots growth from comics to screen
EXCLUSIVE: The indie studio has received new investment funding and recruited a team of partners, including Triggerfish Animation, to bring African stories to global TV audiences.
Kidscreen January 28, 2021
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
In conversation with Phoebe Im (@bobblejot)
Nicole Moorefield
- Jan 5 2021
In conversation with Phoebe Im (@bobblejot)
https://www.hilltopshow.com/post/in-conversation-with-phoebe-im-bobblejot
Illustrator Phoebe Im, known for her work as @bobblejot on Instagram, is releasing her first book, Cute Chibi Animals, on January 19. Im, who has 295K Instagram followers, spoke with The Hilltop Show about her artistic journey, creative process, and career growth.
Jan 28: Sailor Moon: How These Magical Girls Transformed Our World
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March 11: An Evening with Gene Luen Yang
An Evening with Gene Luen Yang
Thursday, March 11, 2021
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MT
https://go.ucalgary.ca/2021-03-11VirtualDVWEvent_LPRegistration1.html
Join the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program for an evening with Gene Luen Yang, the bestselling writer and artist behind American Born Chinese, Boxers & Saints, the Avatar: the Last Airbender comics, and many other iconic works.
This online talk will explore the making of comics and graphic novels, bridging the gap between words and pictures, and the importance of narratives that convey a multitude of cultural experiences.
Bring your questions: the event will conclude with a live audience Q&A moderated by Bart Beaty, professor of advanced studies in comics at the University of Calgary.
Sailor Moon: How These Magical Girls Transformed Our World
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Tomorrow Jan 28: Dan Mazur on Harvard Book Store for Lunatic wordless graphic novel
Virtual Event: Dan Mazur
presenting Lunatic in conversation with WHIT TAYLOR
DateJan 28 Thursday January 28, 2021 7:00 PM | LocationJoin our online event (or pre-register) via the link in the event description. | Tickets Free - $3 contribution suggested at registration |
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes acclaimed cartoonist and editor DAN MAZUR—cofounder of the Boston Comics Roundtable and MICE: the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo—for a discussion of his latest graphic novel, Lunatic. He will be joined in conversation by Ignatz-Award winning cartoonist WHIT TAYLOR, author of the forthcoming Harriet: Toward Freedom.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "ZOMG Democracy!"
From DC's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennnock -
"ZOMG Democracy!"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3126
We're hitting a record for COVID-19 deaths, unemployment is sky-high, another wave of evictions is hitting, the fascists are still running wild, the police are still mass-murdering Black people, but yeah — let's impeach Trump — and find some obtuse, other-worldly reason to blame Russia while we're at it, because what the hell.
Cripes, how the hell does that even work? The guy's been out of office for nearly a week. If the Senate votes to convict, how do they punish him — revoke his Secret Service protection? Seize his Federal pension? Prohibit him from running for office again? The "spanking machine"?
MSNBC commentators and guests this past week have been blurting out the word "democracy" so often you could play a drinking game; meanwhile QAnon, Patriot Prayer, the Proud Boys and the rest aren't just going to pack it in and go home because Trump's been bounced out of the White House...
--------
"US House delivers Trump impeachment article to Senate; move formally sets in motion Senate trial against Donald Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' related to Capitol riot", Al Jazeera 01.26.2021
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/26/us-house-presents-trump-impeachment-article-to-senate
"Republican opposition to Trump impeachment trial grows; more Republican Senators say they oppose the trial, to begin next month, but Mitt Romney says he supports proceedings" Al Jazeera 01.25.2021
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/25/republican-opposition-to-trump-impeachment-trial-grows
"Here We Go Again: Hillary Clinton, Pelosi Allege Trump Orchestrated Capitol Riot on Putin's Orders" Sputnik International 01.19.2021
https://sputniknews.com/us/202101191081813868-here-we-go-again-hillary-clinton-pelosi-allege-trump-orchestrated-capitol-riot-on-putins-orders/
"United States sets new single-day record for COVID-19 deaths", New York Post 01.13.2021
https://nypost.com/2021/01/13/united-states-sets-new-single-day-record-for-covid-19-deaths/
Current US COVID-19 Statistics, https://covidusa.net/
--------------
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
and follow me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@flugennock
"ZOMG Democracy!"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3126
We're hitting a record for COVID-19 deaths, unemployment is sky-high, another wave of evictions is hitting, the fascists are still running wild, the police are still mass-murdering Black people, but yeah — let's impeach Trump — and find some obtuse, other-worldly reason to blame Russia while we're at it, because what the hell.
Cripes, how the hell does that even work? The guy's been out of office for nearly a week. If the Senate votes to convict, how do they punish him — revoke his Secret Service protection? Seize his Federal pension? Prohibit him from running for office again? The "spanking machine"?
MSNBC commentators and guests this past week have been blurting out the word "democracy" so often you could play a drinking game; meanwhile QAnon, Patriot Prayer, the Proud Boys and the rest aren't just going to pack it in and go home because Trump's been bounced out of the White House...
--------
"US House delivers Trump impeachment article to Senate; move formally sets in motion Senate trial against Donald Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' related to Capitol riot", Al Jazeera 01.26.2021
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/26/us-house-presents-trump-impeachment-article-to-senate
"Republican opposition to Trump impeachment trial grows; more Republican Senators say they oppose the trial, to begin next month, but Mitt Romney says he supports proceedings" Al Jazeera 01.25.2021
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/25/republican-opposition-to-trump-impeachment-trial-grows
"Here We Go Again: Hillary Clinton, Pelosi Allege Trump Orchestrated Capitol Riot on Putin's Orders" Sputnik International 01.19.2021
https://sputniknews.com/us/202101191081813868-here-we-go-again-hillary-clinton-pelosi-allege-trump-orchestrated-capitol-riot-on-putins-orders/
"United States sets new single-day record for COVID-19 deaths", New York Post 01.13.2021
https://nypost.com/2021/01/13/united-states-sets-new-single-day-record-for-covid-19-deaths/
Current US COVID-19 Statistics, https://covidusa.net/
--------------
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
and follow me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@flugennock
Today at 1:30 - collage w/ old Nat Geographics to create a narrative
Studio Session: Cut + Paste with Bayan Dahdah
Experience the pages of National Geographic magazine in a new way with multidisciplinary artist Bayan Dahdah. In this virtual studio demonstration, Bayan will combine old issues of the magazine straight from the archives with unique digital collaging techniques to create an original narrative artwork. As she works, Bayan will share tips and techniques for innovative visual storytelling and answer questions from viewers in this immersive, interactive event.
Tuesday, January 26, at 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT
Complimentary
Watch the event on the Nat Geo Live Facebook page
Monday, January 25, 2021
The Beat looks at Tom King's Tweets
Tom King's Big Ones: An Investigation
Tom King says he produces a lot of Big Ones. But is that really the case? The Beat investigates.
Rhizome DC comics drawing course with Georgia Webber
City Lights: Draw Autobiographical Comics with Rhizome DC
In an upcoming virtual workshop series, Canadian comics artist Georgia Webber offers us a way out of our artistic uncertainty.
That darn Prickly City
Hunny Bunny wasn't funny
Martin Johnson, Charlottesville
Washington Post January 23 2021
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Troy-Jeffrey Allen interview of new publisher Second Sight
Interview: From The Freedomverse to Serial Killers, Second Sight Focuses On You, The Reader
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
PREVIEWSworld Jan 21, 2021
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Maryland cartoonist Steve Hauk (1954-2021) R.I.P. (UPDATED)
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| from Facebook |
Maryland cartoonist Steve Hauk (pronounced Hawk) passed away sometime this week in Silver Spring. The discovery of his death was on the morning of Friday, January 22nd, but he had not been seen in public since Tuesday, January 19th. He apparently was out of his room some time on Wednesday, so most likely passed away on the 20th or 21st. His death is considered to be of natural causes, and won't be further investigated. Hauk identified himself on his Facebook page as a type-2 diabetic who needed to self-inject insulin on a daily basis. Hauk was born on August 4, 1954 according to the Grand Comics Database. For a short time in the early 1990s, he broke into drawing for mainstream comic books, but was unable to make a career of it. On his Linkedin page, Hauk wrote of himself, "Successful retail manager for such companies as Rosetta Stone, Brookstone and The Sharper Image. My life experiences have been varied including being an FM Disc jockey, gag writer for comedians, editorial and comic book cartoonist."
Joel Pollack, founder of the local Big Planet Comics chain said, "I believe Steve first moved to the DC area (from Cumberland, MD) in 1973 to attend University of Maryland. I met him through the UMD Comic Art Society where he also met his best friend, Gary Sommer. Gary and Steve hosted a radio show on WMUC for several years. Steve worked at Big Planet Comics circa 1990-1992, and was there when we moved from Cordell Ave. to Fairmont Ave. At that time, Steve relocated from Adams-Morgan to Triangle Towers where he resided for 20+ years. I know he drew Fish Shticks for Steve Moncuse, and "Emperor of Da Universe" for Comic Buyers Guide. He was living in a group house in Silver Spring at the time of his passing." Debbie Kozak said, "He was a beloved housemate of our group house in
Silver Spring since May of 2015. Steve was a good friend. He always made
me laugh. I miss him terribly."
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| Hauk and his painting of Lobo (after Bisley) for Big Planet Comics store on Fairmont Ave. |
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| Fish Shticks #3 |
Gary Sommer recalled his time with his friend today for this obituary. The two met at UMD in the early 1970s as part of the Comic Arts Society and both worked on MetroCon. Gary Groth of Fantagraphics was a also member as was Joel Pollack. Steve was trying to break into comics at the time and did minicomics. Sommers and Hauk did eight years of college radio together on their show Sub-Ether Waveband, where they played a mix of up-tempo new wave, electronica, comedy and some original comedy. Steve did a segment called "Cooking with the Emp" with the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Universe, Andy Looney (who now does game designs for his company Looney Labs). This led to a series of minicomics about the Emperor's adventures. His minicomics were done in small runs and given away to his friends.
As noted, from 1992-1993, he drew Fish Shticks (Apple Comics) for Steve Moncuse's Fish Police series. Eighteen pages of his original art for issue 3 can be seen online. Sommer says Hauk also inked an issue of Barbie for Marvel. Hauk's GCD credits also list a story in Vamperotica #10. The last of his comic book work appears to have been in the late 1990s in John Gallagher's Buzzboy comic.
Sommer notes that Steve kept drawing up to the very end, and his most recent minicomic was What We Do in the Pandemic, a parody of the tv show What We Do in the Shadows. He also drew his own Christmas cards, including a coronavirus-themed one for this past year's card as well - they were always funny or topical cartoons.
 |
| from Linkedin |
I personally knew Steve when he clerked for the Bethesda branch of Big Planet Comics. I can't believe that was 30 years ago. I enjoyed seeing Steve on a weekly basis back then and hearing his sardonic comments on life. It's a shame that he wasn't able to continue creating comic books, but it's always been a hard field to make a living in. Steve remained a Big Planet Comics Bethesda customer until his death.
This obituary will be updated in italics as more information or images are sent to me.
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| 2019 Christmas card |
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| 2020 Christmas card cover and interior |
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| Steve with our youngest cat, Violet, from June of 2019 |
 |
| Steve wearing a Svengoolie T-shirt, August 2015. |
From Gary Sommer, January 31st - "I ran across 3 pieces from the 1980s..."
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| After Max Headroom |
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| Budgie Hunter |
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| Dash Headon |
2/13/21 UPDATE
Courtesy of Randy Scott, librarian of Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection, Steve wrote a mini-biography for:
Entry (p. 90) in Comic-Book
Superstars, by Don & Maggie
Thompson (Iola, Wis. : Krause
Publications, 1993). --
Call no.: PN6707.C65 1993
Steve Hauk. 4853 Cordell Avenue, Unit 1501, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
Born: August 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C.
College or other education: Self-taught.
Biggest creative influences: Will Eisner, Vaughn Bode, Mike Ploog, Mike Hinge, George Carlin, Monty Python, Douglas Adams, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Robert Sheckley.
1993 projects: Developing a title for Parody Press, full art and story. Emperor of Da Universe back-up story in Team Danger #0 from Obsidian Publishing, inks on Marvel Comics' Barbie Fashion #29.
Past comics tides and related projects:
Since issue #677 in November 1986 contributed editorial and other cartoons to Comics Buyer's Guide. Multiple logos for the Arrow/Caliber book Deadworld. Two contributions to the Apple Press book 101 Other Uses for a Condom (mine were "Frog Partyhat" and "Emergency Airsickness Bag"). A Fish Police mini-series from Apple Press, Fish Shticks, six issues, all interior art, pencils, inks, and tones. Recently my inks over Dan Parent's cool pencils on Barbie Fashion #29 for Marvel (and on my first work for Marvel, my first work to see color, Michelle Wrightson does the coloring. Wow.). I've written gags for Don Martin and Larry "Bud" Melman.
Favorite comics not worked on: Any Ambush Bug comic, 2000 AD, Epic Comics' The Sleeze Bros. and Lance Barnes, Post Nuke Dick, and Ostrander's Grimjack.
Dream comic-book project: Realistically, to ink a Keith Giffen pencilled Ambush Bug special (or any Giffen pencils; I especially like his silly side). Total fantasy, to have worked with Vaughn Bode.
And his friend and housemate Debbie wrote in to note, "We have converted Steve's room into a den and have affixed this memorial plaque to the doorframe so that anyone entering the den will see that our den is dedicated to Steve's memory."
Friday, January 22, 2021
'WandaVision' Traps Its Stars In An Ever-Changing Sitcom
'WandaVision' Traps Its Stars In An Ever-Changing Sitcom
Pop Culture Happy Hour January 22, 2021
Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany star as Wanda Maximoff and Vision in WandaVision.
Disney Plus has big plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first show to arrive from its slate of Phase Four projects is WandaVision. Wanda's got magic powers, Vision's a synthetic android and together, they're trapped in a series of simulations of comedies from decades past. However, slowly but surely, the superhero world you know and love begins to creep back in.
Show Notes:
Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Beat recommends Gallas' The Poet and the Flea
A Year of Free Comics: in THE POET AND THE FLEA, William Blake faces the macabreby Avery Kaplanhttps://www.comicsbeat.com/a-year-of-free-comics-the-poet-and-the-flea/ |
In The Poet and the Flea by G. E. Gallas is an ode to the life of poet and painter William Blake in which Blake's life is re-imagined (and given some very sinister elements).
Continuing John Lewis' "March": Comics to Teach Civic Awareness | Education Series
Continuing John Lewis' "March": Comics to Teach Civic Awareness | Education Series
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "DAnon Shaman"
From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock -
"DAnon Shaman"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3121
Well, it's about freakin' time. I was starting to wonder when the Democrats and their flunkies in the media were going to get off the dime and start screeching that ZOMG FOREIGN INFLUENCE (a.k.a. Russia, China, Iran) was responsible for the Great Capitol Hill Chud Riot a couple of weeks ago — and I was somehow reminded of this fake shaman who turned out with the QAnon crowd at the Capitol, and that joke about how Russiagate was basically QAnon for Liberals.
16x16 inch medium-res color .jpg image, 1.4mb
----
"FBI probing Capitol riot link to foreign governments, groups", Al Jazeera 01.17.2021
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/17/fbi-probing-capitol-riot-link-to-foreign-governments-groups
"Here We Go Again: Hillary Clinton, Pelosi Allege Trump Orchestrated Capitol Riot on Putin's Orders", Sputnik International 01.19.2021
https://sputniknews.com/us/202101191081813868-here-we-go-again-hillary-clinton-pelosi-allege-trump-orchestrated-capitol-riot-on-putins-orders/
The "QAnon Shaman" at the Capitol,
http://www.sinkers.org/posters/danonshaman/Qshaman01_650w.jpg
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
and follow me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@flugennock
2021 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards nominations open
One apparently needs to create an account to enter a submission."In these turbulent times, the preservation of accurate journalism is essential to our democracy. Join us in celebrating the best work of the year at the Robert F. Kennedy Book and Journalism Award. The nomination process ends February 1st: https://bajawards.awardsplatform.com/"
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Malaka Gharib on NPR's covid-19 webcomics
11 Original NPR Comics That Brought Joy, Hope And Help During The Pandemic [comics journalism; webcomics]
The Post on Batwoman
New Batwoman Javicia Leslie always wanted to be a superhero [in print as New Batwoman Javicia Leslie says she always wanted to be a superhero]
Washington Post Jan. 19, 2021
Q&A: Javicia Leslie takes on Batwoman role to empower others
By Jonathan Landrum Jr. | AP
Jan. 8, 2021
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Kal and Wuerker at editorial cartoonist symposium
The untold story of editorial cartoonists
Visual artists discuss sensitivities emerging around images, political and otherwise
Express Tribune January 16, 2021
Monday, January 18, 2021
Sal Buscema art sells for over $100K
Sal Buscema's original cover to 1971's Sub-Mariner No. 35, featuring the soon-to-be Defenders (Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor) squaring off against a few assembled Avengers (Iron Man, Goliath and Thor). The artwork was one of two pieces in the Comics & Comic Art event to realize $102,000.
Mr. Buscema lives somewhere in Northern VA.
Jan 24: Cartoonist Paul Merklein Virtually Returns!
Cartoonist Paul Merklein Virtually Returns!
Do you like to draw cartoons? Do you want to meet a cartoonist?
Cartoonist (and former resident of Silver Spring MD) Paul Merklein is
virtually visiting public libraries and schools this year, and he will
return to the Fairfax County Public Library in VA on Monday January 25
at 2:00 EST.
Meet Paul online and learn how to draw famous cartoon characters! Win
FREE prizes! Have fun drawing cartoons!
Register for Paul's program here...
https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7344122
If you miss the program on on January 25, you can see Paul's calendar
of virtual programs here... https://www.facebook.com/cartooningisfun/
Paul Merklein taught Cartooning at Arlington Community Centers in
Virginia for 5 years. He now enjoys semi-retirement in Wisconsin
where he draws cartoons, drinks tequila and misses Ben's Chili Bowl in
DC.
Do you like to draw cartoons? Do you want to meet a cartoonist?
Cartoonist (and former resident of Silver Spring MD) Paul Merklein is
virtually visiting public libraries and schools this year, and he will
return to the Fairfax County Public Library in VA on Monday January 25
at 2:00 EST.
Meet Paul online and learn how to draw famous cartoon characters! Win
FREE prizes! Have fun drawing cartoons!
Register for Paul's program here...
https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7344122
If you miss the program on on January 25, you can see Paul's calendar
of virtual programs here... https://www.facebook.com/cartooningisfun/
Paul Merklein taught Cartooning at Arlington Community Centers in
Virginia for 5 years. He now enjoys semi-retirement in Wisconsin
where he draws cartoons, drinks tequila and misses Ben's Chili Bowl in
DC.
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Troy-Jeffrey Allen's Machine Girl interview
Interview: Machine Girl Returns in 'Machine Girl & The Space Invaders'
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
PREVIEWSworld: Jan 11, 2021
Saturday, January 16, 2021
That darn Mark Trail
The license to revere [Mark Trail letter].
Chris Siple, Arlington
Washington Post January 16 2021
The Post reviews WandaVision
'WandaVision' on Disney Plus gives Marvel Studios its first true power couple [in print as 'WandaVision' gives Marvel Studios its first true power couple]
Washington Post Jan. 16, 2021 p C1-2
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/01/15/wandavision-disney-plus-marvel-studios/
and here's a Master of Kung Fu article by Betancourt too -
Shang-Chi's return to Marvel Comics makes him the center of his own story
Friday, January 15, 2021
PR: Insight Editions Mid-Winter Sale
This is an advertisement. Insight has been very good about sending us review copies of their books.
Mid-winter sale on InsightEditions.com- we've put on a 35% sitewide discount, with free shipping on orders over $50! This is on our entire list, including our comics world list.
35% off sitewide! - No code needed for discountFree shipping on orders over $50 using code: FreeshipSale runs now through Monday, January 18thShop books featuring pop culture icons like Harry Potter and Star Wars, sumptuous cookbooks, beautiful journals and stationery, and great books for kids!
More on Landmark Mall starring in Wonder Woman
Anatomy of a Scene
Watch Gal Gadot Fight Crime at the Mall in 'Wonder Woman 1984'
The director Patty Jenkins narrates a sequence from her movie, streaming on HBO Max.
Washington Monthly reviews new Stan Lee biography
The Flawed Superhero of Marvel Comics
A new book reveals the origin story of Stan Lee, the self-aggrandizing impresario of an entertainment empire.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
NPR reviews After the Rain
To Adapt 'After The Rain,' Artists Cross All Kinds Of Boundaries
Etelka Lehoczky
January 10, 2021
O'Connell's continuing Caniff stories at TCJ
Italian Gallery Offers Digital Access To Caniff Exhibition
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