Design Federation

In this week’s interview we talk to Alan Moir - New Zealand born Australian cartoonist whose accomplishments include being the six-time winner of “Australian Editorial Cartoonist of the Year”, a Churchill Fellowship in 1999, Walkley award for Political Cartooning in 2000 and 2006 and the UN Award for Political Cartooning 2004.

Where did you learn your cartoon craft?
Self-taught from the age of 12. I was caught drawing caricatures of the teachers, & the headmaster called me to his office. I was expecting some sort of detention, but was instead loaned books on David Low, a NZer who became a great Fleet St political cartoonist.

How long does the average cartoon take - ideas to sketch?
It varies on the availability of topics. When topics are plentiful, as they are at the moment, only a couple of hours (I draw very quickly with no roughs preliminary sketches). Twice as long when the political scene is quiet. I try to get them finished by 5pm (for the morning paper next day) so that the newspaper’s lawyers can have time to see them. There is very rarely a hold up, and even then a subtle change of a word without changing the meaning or strength can avoid defamation action. It is better to work a millimetre within the law & frustrate a politician than to go another millimetre & have to publish an apology.

Do you ever feel pressure to kowtow to political parties and tone down your cartoons?
Never. If anyone does I make a particular point of going in harder (the maori sidestep)

What is the average day like for a cartoonist?
For me , relaxed. I work from home & so long as I send in the cartoon by 5pm I am free to work whenever I like. I get up at 7am & read papers on the internet, Australian & overseas. Over coffee about 10am I work out a theme & hopefully the joke. The drawing is mulled about in my mind over the next few hours, then about 3pm I draw it straight down. The drawing seldom takes more than 20-30 minutes. On cardboard, scanned, then cleaned and any colour highlighted.

Whose work do you relate to most? Who inspires you?
David Low 1891- 1963. Bruce Petty is the contemporary cartoonist I admire beyond all.

How do you think/want other people to respond to your cartoons?
Be amused and hopefully think.

Do you listen to any music while you draw, or do you prefer the dulcet tones of someone like Alan Jones?
Neither.

Is Australian Rugby in disarray?
Yes and long may it be, with NZ on ascendancy.

Is there a Cartoonist’s Union?
Australian Cartoonists’ Association.

Do you prefer John Howard’s Eyebrows or Peter Costello’s Eyebrows?
JH’s eyebrows with PC’s leer would be a cartoonist’s dream.

Can you let us in on any trade secrets?
I use charcoal and don’t wash my hands afterwards.

Related Links

Alan Moir Cartoon Gallery

Alan’s daily cartoons in The Sydney Morning Herald.

All images accompanying Design Federation interviews are © Copyright of the interview subject and may not be reproduced without the permission of the owner.