Not the 2020 Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival
April 24, 2020 in Events, General, News
Cancelled poster by © Roger Penwill
Glenn Marshall writes:
This weekend would have seen the main events of the Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival but sadly, like so much else, it has had to be cancelled. One of the organisers, Roger Penwill, commented a few weeks ago when the postponement was announced “We felt that we had no choice as the nature of the event, encouraging many members of the public to come to an indoor space, ran contrary to the guidance on tackling virus spread. More importantly we did not want to put at risk the health of any member of the cartooning community or their families”
The theme was ‘twenty twenty vision’ so the organising committee should’ve been visionary and seen Covid 19 coming!
In the meantime, here for your edification and delight, is a selection of optical illusionary cartoons selected by Roger that would’ve been part of the the Bear Steps Gallery exhibition. All drawn from/by the PCO fraternity.
In alphabetical order:
Cartoon © Nathan Ariss
Cartoon © Jeremy Banx
Cartoon © Rupet Besley
Cartoon © Andy Davey
Cartoon © Ian Baker
Cartoon © Neil Dishington
Cartoon © Pete Dredge
Cartoon © Tat Effby
Cartoon © Clive Goddard
Cartoon © James Griffiths
Cartoon © Jonesy
Cartoon © Kathryn Lamb
Cartoon © Chris Madden
Cartoon © Roger Penwill
Cartoon © Glenn Marshall
Cartoon © Ken Pyne
Cartoon © Royston Robertson
Cartoon © The Surreal McCoy
Cartoon © Wilbur Dawbarn
Cartoon © Kipper Williams
Cartoon © Noel Ford
This final cartoon is by the great Noel Ford (who I should really rechristen Noel Zord to keep alphabetic consistency) Sadly Noel died last year. He had been very involved with the festival since its inception and part of this year’s events was to be a retrospective exhibition of his wonderful work.
Thanks to Roger and all the others who’d put a lot of effort into preparation for this year’s jamboree, including Sarah Knapp, Tim King, Tat Effby, Jonathan Cusick and Jill Wild. Hopefully the Shrewsbury cartoon spectacle will be able to be rescheduled in the near future.
On Saturday I’ll be off to do my self-isolated vision themed big board in the garden….
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by Glenn Marshall
Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival exhibition comes to the High Street
September 6, 2021 in Comment, Events, General, News
Poster illustration by © Jonathan Cusick
Festival Organising team member Sarah Knapp writes:
Delayed by lockdowns, and consequently without it’s usual live events, Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival exhibition is going ahead this year represented by two exhibitions at the Bear Steps Gallery, Shrewsbury from 6th to 18th September.
The show goes up.
Our theme is ‘The High Street’ as we felt it’s time to show support to the many shops and eateries that have suffered so badly over the last 18 months.
Poster cartoon by © Fawzy Morsy
We are also pleased to also announce the return of international cartoons; in the upstairs gallery ‘Over the Shroopshire hills and Pharoah Way’ showcases over 25 cartoons from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, UAE and Saudi Arabian cartoonists.
Cartoon by © Farouk Mousa
The result of the two exhibitions is a plethora of original cartoons showing different styles and humour gathered together in one place for your delight and amusement. A mixture of originals and prints, they are all for sale.
Started in 2004 by Shropshire based cartoonist Roger Penwill, the town’s Cartoon Festival is now a Shropshire treasure attracting locals plus visitors, artists and collectors of cartoons from further afield.
Illustration by © Ralph Steadman
Above is a signed print from Ralph Steadman entitled “Shopping Sisters”. The cartoon was painted 12 years ago when Ralph was on a wine-tasting trip with Oddbins. Following the exhibition this oak-framed signed cartoon print will be auctioned in the
October Fine Art online timed auction to be held by Halls Fine Art, Shrewsbury. Ralph kindly signed the print for the Cartoon Festival and proceeds of the sale will be donated to the festival.
As in 2020 we would have liked to have brought more of the Festival to the town. However it will return as a full festival in its usual format in April 2022.
Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival has support from Shropshire Council as well as invaluable sponsorship from the Professional Cartoonists Organisation.
Below are a few shop samples from the show.
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Cartoon by © Clive Goddard
Cartoon by © Rupert Besley
Cartoon by © The Surreal McCoy
Cartoon by © Ian Baker
Cartoon by © Royston Roberston
Cartoon by © Jason Chatfield
Tags: Bear Steps Gallery, cartoonists, cartoons, Clive Goddard, exhibition, Farouk Mousa, Fawzy Morsy, High Street, Ian Baker, PCO, pro cartoonists, Procartoonists, Professional Cartoonists Organisation, Ralph Steadman, Royston Robertson, Rupert Besley, Sarah Knapp, shopping, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival, Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival, Shropshire, Shropshire Council, The Surreal McCoy 1 Comment »