There’s nothing sadder than the passing of a great head in politics. The recent demotion of Brendan has been a real loss to all caricaturists, but is nothing compared to the retirement of political cartoonist’s wet dream, Big Red Paul Lennon.
As an homage to (and possibly exorcism of) the only politician to rival Joh Bjelke for Services To Political Cartooning, I painted the big fella in his hot tub for the Salamanca Collection Art Prize (theme: Tasmania: A Sense Of Place). You simply don’t get any more Tasmanian than the ex-Premier’s ex-office, which I’m sure the new boy Bartlett is finding to be a damn big tub to fill.
Sadly, the Salamanca Collection chardonnay sipping judges who were entirely independent of the cutting edge Salamanca Collection (edited for accuracy) were nowhere near hardcore enough to put it in the exhibition, so I’ve put an image up here for Furtherance of The Good Name Of Tasmania.
The original will be on display in all its 1.8-ish square metres of canvassy glory in my own exhibition of paintings at the Sidespace Gallery starting December 5.
UPDATE: more on this at The Mercury and The Tasmanian Times.
Just an idea…why not go through the entire ALP and Lib Party…and, of course the Greens too…with a collection of outlandish pix of them…they don’t deserve it…they earned it.
It’s on the cards for next year, time and paint willing.
Hi John
It was not a question of the Salamanca Collection not being hardcore enough – the judges make their decision independently of the gallery, so your commnent is inaccurate.
My apologies Andhrew. In the interests of accuracy, I shall correct my comment and change my name by deed poll immediately.