Leela Corman

Leela Corman is an Assistant Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), specializing in graphic novels and visual storytelling. Her work explores themes of diaspora, trauma, and historical memory, particularly focusing on Polish-Jewish heritage and 20th-century New York. She is a founding instructor at the Sequential Artists Workshop (Gainesville, FL) and has taught at RISD since 2024.

Research & Teaching: Corman emphasizes hands-on creation with physical materials and cross-disciplinary approaches to visual narratives. Her philosophy aligns with William Kentridge’s concept of 'process over fact.' She has created art for The New York Times, BUST Magazine, and albums like Stella Splendens’ Chromatophore.

Awards:

• Eisner Award Nominee (Unterzakhn, 2012)
• Romics Prize for Best Anglo-American Comic (2015)
• MoCCA Arts Festival Award of Excellence (2023)

Publications: Recent works include Victory Parade (2024), a WWII-era graphic novel addressing trauma and resilience, and Unterzakhn (2012), a critically acclaimed exploration of Jewish immigrant life in NYC. She also contributes short-form comics to The Believer, Nautilus, and The Nib.