The year 1854 was a seminal one in the history of Victoria: the foundation stone of the State Library of Victoria was laid and the first edition of The Age appeared on the streets of Melbourne. To celebrate both their 150th anniversaries, the Library, in conjunction with The Age, has mounted this exhibition of the paper's most celebrated cartoonists.
This selection of more than 100 works is only a small portion of the large number of cartoons published in The Age over the last fifty years. The 18 artists represented are only a few of the many who have contributed to the paper's popular appeal and include Ron Tandberg, John Spooner, Michael Leunig, Cathy Wilcox, Bruce Petty, Les Tanner, Peter Nicholson, Arthur Horner and Andrew Dyson. Many of the works are from the Library's Pictures Collection, which actively acquires images pertinent to the social and political history of Victoria. A significant number are on loan from the private collections of the artists, their families or representatives.
The history and development of The Age, since the publication of the first issue on 17 October 1854 provides a framework for investigating the often alternative position that cartoonists have in relation to the paper's editorial. The works selected also survey the significant issues and events that have affected Australians, and more specifically readers of The Age, over the last half century. Grouped thematically the works will explore the cartoonists' response and opinions on - National identity; War and Peace; Elections; Leadership; The Environment; The Economy; The Media; Youth; Society and Self; Health; Sport and Culture.
Illustration
Cartoon created by Leunig for this exhibition. |
