Borderline and Beyond
Rupert Besley writes: Congratulations to the organisers of Laughter Line in Wallsend. And commiserations too. No sooner had they got their cartoon exhibition set up than in came the requirement for museums and galleries to close (at present Segedunum have made that provisional to 1st May). Last year, you may remember, saw the Tyneside museum mounting […]
Infectious Laughter
Cartoon © Pete Dredge Naturally many cartoonists have been indulging in some sick humour whilst trying to cope under lockdown. These are from the bunkers of Procartoonists members, including the very funny and worryingly accurate Dredge cartoon above. © Sarah Boyce Of course most of us are used to working locked down at home. This is […]
The Genius of Giles
Rupert Besley writes: Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies are back in the news. It’s become something of a festive tradition to bemoan the lack of good viewing in the Christmas schedules. ‘Absolutely nothing on telly,’ goes the cry. ‘Last year was bad enough and this year is worse.’ And so it has seemed this last […]
Send in the Clowns?
Cartoon by © Rupert Besley Rupert Besley writes: [a personal viewpoint, not purporting in any way to represent the opinions of the PCO] For the first time in my life I’m seriously wondering if humour might not be doing more harm than good. That’s a worrying thought and no conclusion I would ever wish to […]
Press One to Continue Nightmare
Rupert Besley writes (mainly because he couldn’t get through on the PCO helpline): I’m sure I’m not alone in my dislike of having other people’s words being put into my Choose from one of the following options, then click on Next to continue: – orifice – earplug – lexicon – exhaust pipe – rear end […]
Air Show
Back on planet earth, away from the lunar orbiting Herne Bay Cartoon Festival, Helen Wilde & Terry Sole are putting on an environment-flavoured exhibition on the theme of ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ at One New Street Gallery. As in previous years the exhibition is a mixture of art, cartoons, illustrations and the odd marshall. There’s lots […]
Borderline Funny
Rupert Besley writes: On the banks of the Tyne at Wallsend, downstream from Newcastle, is Segedunum, the large Roman fort that marked the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall. A century back, the space was crammed with terraced housing and rang to the sounds of shipbuilding in the Swan Hunter yard. It was here in 1906 […]
What’s your favourite cartoon book?
We’ve been talking in the inner sanctums of the PCO forum about favourite books on cartoons/cartoonists. Here I share some of our choices: Steve Jones (Jonesy) I could easily have gone with Sempe, Stauber or Ungerer – Steadman, in particular, was a really close call – but Matt Jones’ mighty labour of love blew me […]
Hats off to JR
Caricature by © Rupert Besley Rupert Besley writes: …John Ruskin, that is. It’s his 200th birthday in February and there are events lined up to mark the occasion. One such is Chris Beetles’ forthcoming exhibition ‘Ruskin’s Artists’ (13 Feb-2 Mar), celebrating the work of those he cherished. Helen Allingham ‘A Devonshire Cottage’ (from © Chris […]