Wobby #43, themed ‘Great Escape’, and co-curated by visual artist & illustrator Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva (RU/NL), is an issue about running away from it all, leaving reality behind and hiding in our cozy fantasies, just to be able to take a deep breath.

Many live in war zones, dreaming about peace and normalcy. For many others, escape is not just an idea, it is their reality. They have been forced to leave their homes. They try to build new lives in safer places while watching events unfold from afar, carrying their memories, tragedies, and worries with them: the things that distance can't easily erase.

Wishing for escape can help us through difficult times. But this desire can also come from something quieter: routine. The same streets and conversations. The same days repeating over and over again, with the same annoying partner and lunch. We want to escape from a very special kind of unhappiness: boredom.

This issue of Wobby brings together a diverse group of 15 artists and writers to explore the idea of the harbour. A place that hides from the world outside. Strange ideas and unexpected stories live here. Things and creatures that don't make sense feel comfortable here. So many different worlds to escape to, and so many reasons to escape from.

Artists of Wobby #43
Angela Fanche (US), Audrey Ramos (PE/CH), Boris de Leijer (NL), Jamiyla Lowe (CA), Joseph Callioni (FR), Julija Panova (LT/NL), Karen Keyrouz (LB/FR), Lívia Suchá (SK/CZ), Raisa Álava (ES), Roman Muradov (AM/UK), Sam Vanallemeersch (BE), Saskia Janssen (NL), William Ludwig Lutgens (BE).

Cover by Raman Djafari (DE)
Centrefold by Davor Gromilović (RS)

-dimensions: 17 x 25 cm
-pages: 40
-language: English
-Risograph printed
-edition: 550