Demons, Creatures and Monsters of Asian Art

Celebrate Free Comic Book Days by stepping into a world of wonder, mystery, and a few chills. Join Asian Art Museum docent John Kouletsis for a journey through mythical creatures, legendary beasts, and terrifying monsters found in art across Asia. From protective guardians to terrifying demons, these supernatural beings have fascinated audiences since ancient times—and they continue to influence the stories we tell today.

Just as comics are filled with imaginative heroes, villains, and fantastical beings, the creatures we’ll explore in this talk have long inspired artists and storytellers. Discover how ancient myths echo through modern pop culture, including the comic book characters we love.

And of course—it wouldn’t be Free Comic Book Days without free comics! Attendees will receive a visually stunning comic created by Korean-American artist, Derek Kirk Kim. While supplies last.

Presented by John Kouletsis. John is currently both a docent for the School Programs and for the Community Speakers Program at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. An architect by training, John lived for 4 years in Japan where he taught and did research on medieval Japanese domestic/residential architecture. Returning to the United States, he was Kaiser Foundation Health Plan’s national chief architect for capital projects. He currently sits on several committees at the Asian Art Museum and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Society for Asian Art.

This program is intended for adult audiences. No registration required; doors close when the room is full.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the San Ramon Library Foundation.