Kindertijd hertekenen: Voorbij verloren kindertijd

This doctoral research explores the representation of childhood memories of war through a practice-based approach, combining the creation of a graphic novel with a critical written exegesis. Set against the socio-political backdrop of the Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001), the study examines the complexities of memory representation, particularly in relation to conflict and childhood. The research focuses on three main areas: memory representation, aetonormative tendencies, and artistic methodologies. First, it investigates the challenges of depicting conflict-related memories by comparing the narrative methods of comics and documentary films. The study highlights the authenticity and flexibility of each medium in portraying personal and collective memories, emphasizing their unique ways of addressing representations of war. Second, the concept of aetonormativity is employed to critically analyze biases that prioritize adult perspectives in the representations of childhood, particularly within the context of comics. The research introduces alternative methodologies for a more authentic and non-binary depiction of childhood, challenging the societal norms that often influence artistic portrayals of children and their experiences. Finally, the research contrasts traditional narrative structures with more open, process-oriented approaches to drawing, positioning drawing as a dynamic means of engaging with the past and reinterpreting memories. This approach offers deeper connections to the past and fosters a more nuanced perspective on how memories of childhood and conflict are reconstructed. By emphasizing the potential of comics as a medium for representing both personal and collective memories, this study advocates for greater recognition of their role in reshaping academic and cultural conceptions of childhood, memory, and war. The findings contribute to the fields of memory studies, visual storytelling, and comics theory, offering new perspectives on the intersections of art, memory, and conflict.