Exhibitions
Heckling Hitler: World War Two in Cartoons & Comics
The Cartoon Museum, 25 March- 12 July 2015
Heckling Hitler shows how World War II unfolded through the eyes of British cartoonists and comic artists, as throughout the war they played their part in helping to raise morale. The exhibition features a collection of caricatures discovered by Professor Jane Chapman, as illustrations in an unpublished manuscript, in the archives of the British Association of Malaysia and Singapore, Cambridge University. The novel, To Those Who Laughed, contains 26 pen and ink and watercolour illustrations by Robert Harper and is based on the personal narrative of fellow internee W.F.N Churchill’s experience of Changi internment camp, Singapore. As such the chosen images complement work by other cartoonists, featuring POW camps, in the exhibition, such as Ronald Searle.
Courtesy of Cambridge University Library
In addition the ‘Comics and the World Wars’ team sourced an original cartoon by a forces member of Bomber Command. The artist was part of a group of men in Lincoln who regularly met up during the war to draw cartoons.
9 February – 19 March 2015 Macquarie University Art Gallery
Perceptions of War weaves together new evidence that presents an alternative perspective on war history within the context and framework of remembrance. This includes research conducted by Professor Jane Chapman and her team who have worked in British Dominion and U.S. archives uncovering comic narratives never before exhibited, and daring in their satire and humour. These include cartoons from armed forces’ trench newspapers, in addition to social and worker movement publications. The history and contemporary contribution of comics as a cultural record during World War I has revealed new information about various aspects of war, from propaganda to the role of humour during catastrophic times and its psychological power as a means of communication.
In addition the exhibition includes work by Macquarie University academic, Harvey Broadbent about the Gallipoli campaign from the Turkish perspective. Insights into Australians from non-English speaking background (such as Greek-Australians) who fought in the Australian armed services during the global conflict, provide yet another alternative perspective.
Startling new WWI evidence shapes Perceptions of War exhibition
International Socialist, Sydney. Courtesy of Barr Smith Library
Never Again! World War I in Cartoon and Comic Art
The Cartoon Museum, London 11 June – 19 October 2014
Never Again! World War I in Cartoon and Comic Art brought together over 300 images, ranging from political and joke cartoons from newspapers and magazines to colourful comic postcards on a huge range of subjects, including life in the trenches, popular songs, food shortages and air raids.
Researchers from Lincoln provided images and information on cartoons and comic strips from British and Dominion soldiers’ trench publications such as The Listening Post and The Gehenna Gazette (below).
Courtesy of Cambridge University Library