Without the Words is an exhibition inspired by a line from Emily Dickinson’s well-loved poem Hope is a Thing with Feathers as well as Laureate na nÓg, PJ Lynch’s ‘The Pig Picture’. While Dickinson reminds her readers to always have hope, Lynch promotes visual storytelling and the power of imagination. Imagination and hope make a powerful combination.

In most circumstances, an illustrator will respond to a brief which is communicated either through written or spoken word. As supporters of visual literacy, Illustrators Ireland tell visual stories, putting the pictures first- without the words. Here they tell their stories; visually stimulating the imagination to respond by creating an individual narrative rather than a prescribed story.

Illustrators Ireland is a community of professional illustrators working together to actively raise the profile of Irish illustration as a dynamic and cutting edge art form. Over 30 illustrators feature in Without the Words, including Steve Simpson, Alan Clarke and current Laureate na nÓg PJ Lynch

Without the Words opens in Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford, on Saturday June 17th at 2.30pm with live illustrative performances by members of Illustrators Ireland and The Comics Lab from 3.30pm. The experience will be a fully immersive storytelling performance which combines music, sound design, projected illustration and live performance in what feels like a cross between theatre and animation. Featuring: Sarah Bowie, Eoin Coveney, Alan Dunne, Katherine Foyle, Debbie Jenkinson, Elida Maiques, Ale Mercado, David McClelland and Fintan Taite.