Peter Kuper Presents : Insectopolis

Peter Kuper Presents Insectopolis: A Natural History

Join acclaimed graphic novelist and illustrator Peter Kuper for a fascinating book talk on his newest work, Insectopolis: A Natural History. This visually stunning and thought-provoking graphic narrative explores the profound and often-overlooked relationship between humans and insects. Set within the majestic architecture of the New York Public Library, Insectopolis imagines a world where insects are the readers, inviting us to see our shared history through their many eyes.

Blending science, art, and storytelling, Kuper’s richly detailed pages bring the insect kingdom to life with beauty, wit, and urgency. Whether you're a science enthusiast, art lover, or curious reader, this presentation offers a compelling glimpse into a world that is both alien and essential to our own.

Peter Kuper’s work appears regularly in The New Yorker, The Nation, and Mad , where he has written and illustrated “Spy vs. Spy” for over 26 years. He is the co-founder of World War 3 Illustrated, a political comix magazine now in its 45th year of publication. He has produced over two dozen books including Sticks and Stones (winner of The Society of Illustrators gold medal), The System, Diario de Oaxaca, Ruins (winner of the 2016 Eisner Award) and adaptations of many of Franz Kafka's works into comics including The Metamorphosis. His most recent graphic novels include Kafkaesque (winner of the 2018 Rueben award and 2022 Lucca award for short stories) and an adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.Translations of his work have appeared in Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Slovenia, China, Brazil, Poland, Sweden, Israel, Germany and Mexico.

Peter has lectured extensively throughout the world and teaches Harvard University’s first class dedicated to graphic novels. He was the 2020-21 Jean Strouse Fellow at The New York Public Library’s Cullman Center and received a 2022 Yaddo residency. His Exhibition INterSECTS: Where Arthropods and Homo sapiens Meet was on display at the New York Public Library Jan. 14- Aug 13th 2022. He is currently working the on INSECTOPOLIS, a graphic novel on the history of insects that will be published by W.W. Norton MAY 2025. He is the winner of the 2024 RFK Journalism Award in cartooning.