Satire and Political Caricature/Cartoons

Satire and Political Caricature/Cartoons

Fig 1. George Osborn Robbing the Poor and Disabled.

With all political cartoons and satire, they respond to current issues and are relevant to society. This is what I set out to achieve in my practical research. By working on these drawings I realised how aware a political cartoonist must be on current events. I have a slight interest in politics but not enough to fully understand, analyse and respond to current affairs. I feel one of the cartoons, featuring George Osborn (fig 1), is a couple of months behind the times and fails to be relevant to the here and now. It is failing to spark debate, push opinions because it is only a reflection of opinions that have already been voiced.

Fig 2. Labour and their Polices.

Although for my second drawing (fig 2) I was influenced more by another’s opinions I felt that it does have some originality in the way it is clearly and directly picking on a flaw in Labour’s political party; that I feel, to my knowledge, hasn’t been addressed directly as yet. One of the things that makes it successful is the use of familiar visual representation; by matching Ed Milband with a Jehovah Witness get up sends a message that this man and his polices aren’t to be taken seriously, particularly as they’re falling all over the place. I feel that by being a bit cheeky, lightly offensive and finding clever but simplistic ways of visual drawing attention to political issues I have entered into the mind-set of a political cartoonist and have understood what it takes for a cartoon to be effective.

What I learnt about political cartoons and cartoonist is summarised in this quote: “It (Political cartoon) is a graphic commentary on what is going on in the world…. The political cartoonist see them self as a pictorial journalist – a keen observation of the world…, curious to discover what is going on behind the scenes. … It is his task both to alert and to keep alert. … (His) aim is to expose the weakness of society in order to improve it.” [1]

Through further research I learnt the tools and visual technics that are used to create satire:

·         Caricature – exaggerated appearances to add comedic effect (Fig 3, Fig 4)

·         Comparison (often extremes) – emphasise difference for effects (Fig 5)

·         Parody – exaggerated imitation to add comic effect

·         Distortion – highlight characteristics or situation to stress an point

·         Anthropomorphism – morphing animal and human characteristics and behaviour to add humour or portray elements of personality. (Fig 6)

·        Shock – graphic violence and horror to grab readers’ attention and to emphasise seriousness

of a situation. (Fig 7)

Fig 3. Isaac Cruikshank, after Woodward, The humours of Belvoir Castle- or the Morning After (Fores 1799)
City of Laughter p145

Fig 4. Gilray, God Save the King – in a Bumper; or- an Evening Scene, Three Times a Week at Wimbleton (H.Humphrey, 1975)
City of Laughter p.124

Fig 5 Gilray, Harmony before Matrimony, Matrimony-Harmonics, (H. Humphrey, 1805)
City of Laughter p.116

Fig 6. Westminster Gazette, 14^th July 1899
20^th Century Studies p.31

Fig 7. Gillray, Promis’d Horror of the French Invasion, - or – Forcible Reason for Negotiating a Regicide Peace (H. Humphrey, 1796)
City of Laughter p.72

While researching it was clear to see that throughout the centuries of satire there is a boldness and brashness in the artists’ attitudes towards their work. Nothing is too rude or too offensive. Cartoonists are prepared to rub up the Nazis the wrong way or spark up a terrorist attack. All that matters is challenging public opinion to see a radical world evolving before them; a world that they (the people) can change and influence.

Bibliography

Behrendt, Fritz. 20^th Century Studies; Politics in Cartoon and Caricature. Brighton: Dolphin Press, 1975

Gatrell, Vic. City Of Laughter. New York: Walker & Co., 2007. Print.