Meet author Julian Voloj and illustrator Jörg Hartmann for this book launch event at the Society of Illustrators. This will be their only North American event for Liberty.
 
She is one of the most iconic statues on the planet. The Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of America, but initially she was a gift from the people of France to the people of America. Liberty tells the lesser known, but more so incredible story of how this monument nearly didn’t happen. French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi became the driving force for one of the most ambitious international construction projects of its time. For Bartholdi completing the statue for the centenary celebration of the Declaration of American Independence became his life’s work, but its construction would lead to a thrilling race against the hands of time.

The conversation will be moderated by Tony Wolf.

Jörg Hartmann studied illustration at the Münster School of Design where he discovered his passion for drawing, especially for comic projects. In Germany, his comics Nostradamus (EHAPA), Wilsberg – In alter Freundschaft and Wilsberg – Um Kopf und Kragen (Carlsen Comics) were published. He loves watercolor painting and runs his own gallery in his hometown of Münster.

Julian Voloj was born in Muenster, Germany, to Colombian parents. There, he studied literature and linguistics. He is the author of a number of internationally successful graphic novels including Basquiat (with Soren Mosdal, Self Made Hero, 2019), Black and White (with Wagner Willian, Abrams, 2023) and (Not) A New York Love Story (with Andreas Gefe Fairsquare, 2023). He lives in New York City.

Tony Wolf has written & illustrated 4 journalism comics for The New York Times and various indie comics anthologies. Cosmic Lion recently published Tales From The Wolf, which collects over 200 pgs of his short stories & art. His work has been featured in The Believer, New York Magazine, and in the new Wait… It Gets Worse hardcover collection from Eisner winner Gideon Kendall and writer Doug Latino. Wolf has also appeared as an actor on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Comedy Central, The Blacklist, and in a 2024 CBS Super Bowl special.

This event is being co-presented by the Goethe-Institut New York.