What’s your favorite cartoon?

INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE SUCCESS IS THE PRESERVE OF CARTOONISTS

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INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE SUCCESS IS THE PRESERVE OF CARTOONISTS

.With the imposition of an increasing number of barriers to free speech, fewer and fewer people have the confidence to comment freely on issues. Cartoonists have been an exception to this rule. They defy the odds by region, state, country and the world for plying their trade and calling those out who act wrongfully or make shortsighted and crass decisions.

Good cartoonists honestly and unswervingly highlight the pros and cons of issues. While they may invoke people and personalities into cartoons, they do this to magnify matters about which we should be concerned.

All cartoonists have specific drawing styles, which adds to their stamp of communication by caricature. A key ingredient of cartooning is conveying a message so the reader is not left wondering what the cartoon is really about. His style and relevance make the cartoonist’s messages meaningful. They take on contentious matters and stimulate debate on issues.

Any law or its interpretation that would stifle the free expression of cartoonists would be a retrograde step. Freedom for cartoonists to express what are often deep-seated community opinions must be preserved. That right should be as sacrosanct as parliamentary privilege.

But if laws of restriction were to be introduced, I am sure cartoonists would defy them and continue their trade of offering us all deep-seated awareness and understanding.

COLIN WICKING MY FAVOURITE

The news that Colin Wicking, the NT News/Sunday Territorian cartoonist for the past forty years, is farewelling the job he has done so brilliantly for so long, fills me with sadness and nostalgia.

Wicking’s perspective on the Territory and those within has long taken us ‘behind the curtain of pretence and facade’. Through his simple yet telling illustrations, he has characterised the territory, warts and all, to readers of our papers.

Many who peruse the print and online editions of our papers will attest to Wicking’s view being one of the first, best and most sought after check of the pages each morning.

A black-and-white specialist, Wicking only drew two cartoons which included colour. The first commemorated the rainbow crossing at the Smith and Knucky Street junction in the CBD. The second depicted Michael Gunner sitting behind his purpled ‘Boundless Possible’ desk.

There are several of Colin Wicking’s cartoons which will live long in my memory – standouts for me among his vast collection of offerings. One is the recent depiction of our Chief Minister (March 25) sitting and listening to the dogs barking the name of ‘Rolfe’ into the night air.

It is a blessing to our Territory that Wicking has gifted thousands if his works to the NT Libraries and Archives. There they will reside permanently, to be a source of historical remembrance of the events and deeds depicted. As people look through his collection, they need to understand that Wicking’s work portrays the real territory that existed at the time each cartoon was drawn.

Whoever takes over as cartoonist for our local papers will have big shoes to fill.

Thanks Colin, for your rendering of our history through your eyes. Your work has been crafted with honest interpretation and transparency. The legacy you leave in retiring from cartooning our territory will be everlasting.

.With the imposition of an increasing number of barriers to free speech, fewer and fewer people have the confidence to comment freely on issues. Cartoonists have been an exception to this rule. They defy the odds by region, state, country and the world for plying their trade and calling those out who act wrongfully or make shortsighted and crass decisions.

Good cartoonists honestly and unswervingly highlight the pros and cons of issues. While they may invoke people and personalities into cartoons, they do this to magnify matters about which we should be concerned.

All cartoonists have specific drawing styles, which adds to their stamp of communication by caricature. A key ingredient of cartooning is conveying a message so the reader is not left wondering what the cartoon is really about. His style and relevance make the cartoonist’s messages meaningful. They take on contentious matters and stimulate debate on issues.

Any law or its interpretation that would stifle the free expression of cartoonists would be a retrograde step. Freedom for cartoonists to express what are often deep-seated community opinions must be preserved. That right should be as sacrosanct as parliamentary privilege.

But if laws of restriction were to be introduced, I am sure cartoonists would defy them and continue their trade of offering us all deep-seated awareness and understanding.

COLIN WICKING MY FAVOURITE

The news that Colin Wicking, the NT News/Sunday Territorian cartoonist for the past forty years, is farewelling the job he has done so brilliantly for so long, fills me with sadness and nostalgia.

Wicking’s perspective on the Territory and those within has long taken us ‘behind the curtain of pretence and facade’. Through his simple yet telling illustrations, he has characterised the territory, warts and all, to readers of our papers.

Many who peruse the print and online editions of our papers will attest to Wicking’s view being one of the first, best and most sought after check of the pages each morning.

A black-and-white specialist, Wicking only drew two cartoons which included colour. The first commemorated the rainbow crossing at the Smith and Knucky Street junction in the CBD. The second depicted Michael Gunner sitting behind his purpled ‘Boundless Possible’ desk.

There are several of Colin Wicking’s cartoons which will live long in my memory – standouts for me among his vast collection of offerings. One is the recent depiction of our Chief Minister (March 25) sitting and listening to the dogs barking the name of ‘Rolfe’ into the night air.

It is a blessing to our Territory that Wicking has gifted thousands if his works to the NT Libraries and Archives. There they will reside permanently, to be a source of historical remembrance of the events and deeds depicted. As people look through his collection, they need to understand that Wicking’s work portrays the real territory that existed at the time each cartoon was drawn.

Whoever takes over as cartoonist for our local papers will have big shoes to fill.

Thanks Colin, for your rendering of our history through your eyes. Your work has been crafted with honest interpretation and transparency. The legacy you leave in retiring from cartooning our territory will be everlasting.