© Banx Cartoons
PCO Chair Bill Stott writes:
Repressive governments the world over fear cartoonists. Cartoonists get straight to the point. Images remain in the public eye longer than do acres of type. Whilst we in the UK and Europe generally accept often excoriating depictions of our leaders, this is definitely not the case in the rest of the world. Here, politicians actually applaud critical and often insulting drawings of themselves, sometimes even assembling personal collections thereof. Not so elsewhere. In at least one verified instance, a foreign cartoonist was visited by government agents and had his hands broken. Doubtless there are others. Repressive governments, fearful of the truth, regularly imprison cartoonists.
The Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation [UK] works with other agencies – in this instance alongside Cartoonists’ Rights Network International and Index on Censorship – to try to bring the plight of persecuted cartoonists to the fore. This exhibition seeks to do that. Whilst it is not easy to highlight a repressive government’s treatment of any given cartoonist because that government will often react by threatening the cartoonist’s family and friends, any and all proceeds from this exhibition will go towards trying to alleviate the conditions many cartoonists the world over have to live with.’
© Pete Dredge
There will be a selling Private View (invitation only) on Tuesday 21st November from 6-8pm with all proceeds going to charity.
As well as the exhibition itself other events include:
A Workshop With Banx & TheSurreal McCoy
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn from two consummate cartoonists and will take place on Saturday 25th (2-4pm)
banxandsurrealmccoy.eventbrite.co.uk
This takes place on Tuesday 28th (6-8pm). Please book your free place for this on Eventbrite: cartoonistdaveyginsberg.eventbrite.co.uk
The exhibition runs from 21st November – 1st December 2017 at:
Westminster Reference Library
35 St Martin’s Street
London WC2H 7HP
Tel: 020 7641 6200 (press 2)
Email: referencelibrarywc2@westminster.gov.uk
Opening hours:
Mon – Fri 10am to 8pm
Sat 10am to 5pm
Sun Closed