Cartoon County

If you want to get away with murder, buy a car.

Why does road death result in more sympathy for the driver than the victim? This is the subject of Woodrow Phoenix's powerful new graphic work Rumble Strip, to be published by Myriad Editions on 12 June.

Woodrow will be talking about cars and cartoons with Lisa Holloway, Chair of Creative Brighton, at a special exhibition of art from Rumble Strip, for one night only.

Thursday, 12th June
Castor & Pollux, King’s Road Arches, Brighton beachfront
6.00pm for 6.30pm
Refreshments available

Rumble Strip will be available to purchase at a special discount on the night. Each copy entitles you to a chance to win an original page of Woodrow's stunning artwork.

Free event but booking essential. Phone 01273 720000
or email corinne@myriadeditions.com

Cartoon County meets every last Monday in the month (except Bank holidays) from 6pm upstairs at The Cricketers, Black Lion St., Brighton. Next meeting is Monday 31st March. Bring your work, bring yourselves, any time until closing.

FREE Shooting the Witness: Critical Drawing
Political Cartoon Gallery
32 Store Street
London WC1E 7BS
020 7580 1114 Tube: Goodge St
Friday 11th April 6pm—8pm
Free entry and refreshments but booking essential.

Twenty years after the Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali was shot dead in London, cartoonists Steve Bell, Kate Evans and Woodrow Phoenix debate the relative freedoms of drawing criticisms of politicians and politics around the world. Do try and get to this early evening event to see these stunning cartoons.
The debate is part of a commemoration of Al-Ali’s work at the Gallery showing until 19th April.

Shooting the Witness is an exhibition of sixty original drawings by the Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his assassination in London.
Naji Al-Ali was one of the most prominent cartoonists in the Arab world – during his lifetime, he drew around 15,000 cartoons, on average two a day.
Sarcastic, poignant and perhaps too bold, Al-Ali's cartoons were drawn from his experience as a refugee since childhood. Naji Al-Ali had no political affiliations and the absence of slogans and dogma in his work brought both success and criticism. His bold and illustrative cartoons, widely published in Arab newspapers over the past 20-30 years, revealed the tragic state of the Middle East. The artist combined art and political satire in work that remains as relevant today. His character Hanthala, a boy who never grows up, always remains with his back to the viewer, a witness of the occupation by Israel and the complicity of the west, as well as the absence of democracy, widespread corruption, and gross inequality in the Arab world. He was said to have antagonized virtually everyone in the Middle East, leading to his unsolved murder in 1987.

For the first time, Naji Al-Ali’s original cartoons are shown in London, at the Political Cartoon Gallery, in cooperation with the SOAS Palestine Society, the Nakba60 group, Cartoon County and the family of Naji Al-Ali. The show runs until 19th April.

The Political Cartoon Gallery, 32 Store Street, London, WC1E 7BS. Tel.: 0207 580 1114 Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm

A fantastic opportunity for a cartoonist-in-residence at Buckinghamshire County Museum in Aylesbury, who are looking for an artist/cartoonist with a strong interest in drawing and social comment, to make observations on contemporary life in the market town Aylesbury, from initial sketches to finished exhibition of work. “The Residency will coincide with an exhibition of Victorian Narrative Painting at the Museum (April - July 2009). The successful artist will have a developed personal vision and at least 15 years' experience. He or she must be a good communicator and able to engage with museum visitors of all ages. ” For more information, contact Alexandra MacCulloch, Keeper of Art, Clothing and Textiles, 01296 624 519, amacculloch@buckscc.gov.uk