My Newest Favourite Thing: Behind the Lines

 

While Cousin Rachael was visiting, we went to Old Parliament House, and while she walked around the Museum of Australian Democracy, I went to the Behind the Lines exhibition to see the political cartoons from 2025. Here are some of my favourites. I have added the exhibition's words in quotations.

Introduction by Matt Golding

"In this specially commissioned cartoon for Behind the Lines 2025, Political Cartoonist of the Year Matt Golding responds to this year's theme: Are We Rolling? The politicians running across the top of the film projector are (left to right) Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyehu, Allegra Spender, Larissa Waters, David Littleproud, Angus Taylor, Sussan Ley, Jim Chalmers, and Anthony Albanese."

Climate change remains a headline catastrophe, but cartoonists point out that people are less bothered by global concepts than personal finances.

The Cost-of-Not-Living Crisis by Matt Golding

"If we listen to the political dinosaurs, the cost of living is the most pressing issue affecting Australians. Climate change scientists might disagree, noting Australia's climate is already changing and calling for immediate action to reduce carbon emissions. Climate change is the 'asteroid in the room' that no one wants to acknowledge."

Responding to Our Wake-up Calls by Matt Golding

"The cost-of-living crisis was one of the biggest points of debate during the election campaign. In Matt Golding's cartoon, this is the issue that finally spurs the world into action - whereas climate change has the whole world repeatedly hitting the snooze button."

Priorities by Cathy Wilcox

"September saw the release of the National Climate Risk Assessment by the Australian Climate Service. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water described it as 'Australia's first nationally comprehensive look at how climate change could affect the systems we rely on'. The report detailed sea-level rises, increased deaths from heatwaves and the impact of climate change on the Australian property market, which could see close to a million homes possibly uninsurable by 2050."

Join the Dots by Megan Herbert

"Mid-year a deadly algal bloom driven by marine heat waves had a devastating effect on the marine life around the coast of South Australia, with an unusually large number of dead marine creatures appearing washed up on the state's beaches. Between March and July, according to data collected on the citizen science site iNaturalist Australia, the bloom killed around 15,000 animals from over 450 marine species."

House of Cards by Harry Bruce

"As the cost of living rose and the housing crisis continued, Australians turned to their credit cards. Reserve Bank statistics released in February showed the national credit card debt sitting at $17.8 billion, a figure bolstered by Australians' record monthly spend of $28 billion in December 2024." 

There are, inevitably, cartoons specifically aimed at Australian politics. 

Nighthawks at the Sky After Dark Diner by Matt Golding

"In this work Matt Golding recreates one of America's most famous paintings, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks (1942). Peter Dutton approaches an intimate bar, the Sky After Dark Diner, where former Liberal leaders Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott, seated next to Sky News host Peta Credlin, are being served by the channel's owner, Rupert Murdoch." 

The Liberals' Post-Election Complete Rebuild by Matt Golding

"This is one of two very clever re-creations of IKEA instruction booklets in the year's Behind the Lines. The challenge of rebuilding the Liberal party after the election could be remarkably simple - or very difficult - depending on your personal view of whether it is easy or hard to follow IKEA construction manuals."

Nuclear Neverland by Claire Harrison

"A major coalition policy during the election campaign was a plan to build seven nuclear power plants across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. The coalition claimed this would provide a 'cheaper, cleaner, and more consistent alternative' to coal or renewables. Many did not share the Coalition's enthusiasm for the policy and were concerned about its many documented risks, such as the effects of radiation on humans and animals."

Podcasts vs Justice by Jess Harwood

"The mushroom murder trial of Erin Patterson spawned at least five dedicated podcasts and countless news reports. Around the same time there was a coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, a Warlpiri man who was shot and killed by police while resisting arrest in the remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu, Northern Territory. The inquest found that Walker's death was 'avoidable' and should not have happened."

Farewell to Old England Forever by Mirranda Burton

"This rabbit X-ray refers to the pests that were brought to Australia on the First Fleet and which now number in their hundreds of millions. Recent favourable conditions have seen the population boom, leading to calls for federal support to fast-track the next rabbit biocontrol virus. Rabbits cost the Australian agricultral sector $200 million a year, twice as much as do foxes and mice. They also threaten double the number of native species compared to other introduced animals."

There is a strong contingent of American news and concerns. Of course, this makes me question whether American newspapers and cartoonists would be interested/ aware of anything taking place beyond their shores. 

Inflammation of a Nation by Matt Golding

"This cartoon appeared in June 2025, not long after the protests in the city of Los Angeles against ICE abductions and deportations of undocumented people. The protests lasted several days and in response President Donald Trump sent in 4,100 Califormia National Guard troops and 700 Marines, sparking widespread debate about the boundaries of presidential power."

Burning by Cathy Wilcox

"In January 2025 a series of 14 wildfires caused significant damage and loss of life in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and San Diego County in California, United States. Two of the fires were considered to have been the second and third most destructive ones in California's history. Reports said more than 18,000 homes were destroyed and up to 440 people were killed as a reslt of the fires."

The Wake-up Call? by Mark Knight

"American democracy has been put to the test in 2025, with nearly double the number of politically motivated attacks than for the same period in the previous year. In September conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking on a Utah collage campus. This followed two assassination attempts on Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential election campaign. Politicians and national figures have been targeted throughout America's history; pictured here are Abraham Lincoln, John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, all of whom were assassinated, and Ronald Regan, who survived the attempt on his life."

Global politics and events are also included, such as this gut-punching cartoon from Cathy Wilcox.

Exodus by Cathy Wilcox

"In September a UN Commisssion of Inquiry released a report stating that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. It detailed the targeting of citizens, including children, in far larger numbers than in  previous conflicts; the blocking of medical aid, foood and water; and acts aimed at 'deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physcal destruction in whole or in part'. The Israeli government rejected the report, saying it relied 'entirely on Hamas falsehoods'.

A couple of the works feel quite personal as they address the individual and their relation to art. 

Overflow vs Flow by Megan Herbert

"Megan Herbert captures the dilemma of many creative people,  particularly freelancers, as they try to carve out a sustainable career in Australia. The federal government's five-year Revive policy, which has been in place for almost three years, has the 'Centrality of the Artist' as a key pillar, an acknowledgment of the need for career structure and fair remuneration. Living a creative life has always been a precarious position, even without the disruptive threat of  generative AI."

Put Things in Perspective by Scott Wrigg

"According to The Guardian, Gen Z is taking up 'cosy' hobbies in 2025 as a way to de-stress, find connection and create tangible objects in an increasingly digital world. From pottery classes to cooking clubs, arts and crafts are being used as a positive mood booster and a way to regain some perspective. Sometimes, though, art can do the opposite and give us too much perspective."

Antisocial Media by Megan Herbert

"Phones used to be simple devices that connected two voices separated by great distances. Now we have smartphones, incredibly sophisticated, multifaceted communication devices that can spread messages to millions in milliseconds. However, there's growing anxiety about people using them to fuel extremism and spread misinformation."

The Problems of the World by Rosie Murrell

"In this cartoon a crowd of people, seemingly disconnected from each other, are looking down at their phones, doomscrolling, consuming negative news online. As Rosie Murrell said when she posted the image to Instagram, they - and we - are 'wondering what we can possibly do to stop any of it. And the exhaustion of it.'"

Looking through all these political cartoons can actually get quite depressing as we see the state of the world with greed, war, famine, and basic inhumanity. So, I'll finish the post with a positive cartoon.

Horses for Courses by Fiona Katauskas

"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the New Testament's Book of Revelations symbolise conquest, war, famine and death and herald the 'end of days' that will precede the Last Judgment and the damnation or salvation of souls. Fiona Katauskas's horsemen, however, have decided enough is enough and have pivoted to harbingers of hope."

Shield Design

As stated in my previous post, we kicked off the new year with a Medieval-themed party (as you do) in which one of the challenges was shield design.

Him Outdoors and I provided the shields (we had made them from cardboard and spray-painted them in background colours) and various craft supplies, and the contestants had to make up a shield. I had previously sent out a link about basic heraldry in case anyone wanted to hone up on knowledge; there were points for the design itself and the acompanying wiffle-waffle. Here are some examples.

The Luminosity with shield

The Luminosity created this powerful depiction of her family crest with swirly designs, ribbons and sheep. It's bright, expressive, and with personal significance. The next design to feature was also yellow and made reference to the holder's title or family name, but maybe not so much of a crest.

Although hard to see in this image, the design on the right features hand-drawn crucifixes, two upright and two upside down, intermingled with smiley faces, to highlight the ridiculous attempt to force religious conformity onto the medieval peasant class who were just trying to get on with their daily lives. The one on the right scored highly with the judges as it indulges the inner child and playfulness through smiley faces, googly eyes and cartoon animal characters. The use of the ribbon, pom-poms and jingly bells also adds to the tactile nature and auditory sense of fun. 

Here we have the importance of description. The very simple design - a single white ribbon and two butterflies belies a complex explanation of the shield representing two parts of the bearer's life: England (the faded quarter from the past) and Australia (the more vibrant three-quarter section at the top in the present). The white ribbon represents a contrail in a blue sky as the transportation occured, and the butterflies indicate the physical transformation.

The explanation for this one is from someone who had clearly read the basic heraldry guidelines so I shall let them tell it. 

A background of GULES (red) symbolising the fiery nature of the bearer. 

An ORDINARY CHEVRON of SABLE almost equally bisecting the shield indicates affinity with justice and equality.

Une abeille OR et SABLE (the gold/ black bee) RAMPANT surrounded by two bees GUARDANT indicates both a watchful nature and teamwork quality. 

Three charges of googly eyes SABLE and ARGENT speak to watchful yet playful characteristics. 

Some challengers went with all the things that are important to them. Hence Purple Lady with images of romance, theatre, family, work, leisure activities and cats. Meanwhile others went with the 'white tears of Henry Cockington' in a design that was very much a single entendre. 

Purple Lady with shield

Henry Cockington

There were blatant appeals to judges with the combination of Liverpool and Burnley football club crests, and a Shakespearean pun, 'a plague on both your horses', involving unicorn heads and coronavirus bobbles. Also (pictured in the group image but no individual photo) was a delightful interpretation of chaos (cats; eyeballs; jingly bells) and the unknown (blank space) summing up that bearer's identity.

Original Gravity with a blatant appeal to the judges

A Plague on Both Your Horses

And the winner was... Gindelle with her thoughtful piece reflecting growth (a tree image), transformation (an origami butterly) and the family foundation of her last name in a replica Lego block. Congratulations to all for the (various levels of) effort, fun and creativity!

Gindelle with the winning shield design

Friday Five: New Year's Day Activities

We kicked off the new year with what is now our traditional (we've done it twice) recovery party on New Year's Day. This year's theme was the Medieval version. It was, of course, a competition, and included the following games.

1. Quoits
2. Shield Design
3. Tilting at the Rings
4. Mead Tasting
5. Him Outdoors in the Pillory
6. Jousting
7. The Quiz (Which witch)

I will explain in more detail, but here are some images so you get the picture. 

Tilting at the rings

Shield designs

Him Outdoors in the pillory

Hobby horse jousting

Friday Five: Cat Memes for Christmas (plus another bonus - you're welcome)

My Newest Favourite Thing: The Percivals, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

While we were in Townsville, I popped into the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, mainly because it had air conditioning and was cool, but enjoyed the bonus of The Percivals exhibition. 

Described as North Queensland's own biennial portrait exhibition, the competition, began in 2007, is open to all Australian artists to showcase their talents. There are prizes for paining and photographic portraits, and also one for animal portraits. How could I resist?

I have included the comments from the artists in quotes below each picture.

Immigration - Annunciation 2023 by Nazila Janangir

"The original inspiration for my work is a famous theme from Italian Renaissance paintings. The actual composition emerged from da Vinci's portrayal of the Annunciation. Revisiting the scenario, I tried to re-enact the event to tell the story of my immigration to Australia.

"Borrowing from the distant master, I depicted my subjects in an outdoor space, however, more contemporary, liberated, and alive. The double portrait of Gabriel and Mary also morphed into a double self-portrait; a metaphor for the announcement of the incarnation of a new persona.

"The depicted scene is one of the gardens at the University of Western Australia in which soaring pine trees embrace an elegant white elephant palm. This robust, fleshy palm with its ray-shaped leaves symbolises what the ancient rock has offered me since I reached Australia: an exotic life experience full of drama, passion and emotion saturated with huge everyday light."

In-between Jobs 2024, by Karlalise Horstmans 

"My middle-aged husband, a loyal devoted family man and the sole income earner of a family of five, sat at our dining table, forlorn, weary from a three-month hunt for work, His sombre manner and downturned face contrasted sharply with the bright world outside. In that moment, he preferred the shadow of our family room to the promise of a bright day. This painting was designed to evidence his mood in colour and expression, to emphasise his age in form and posture, and to reveal his circumstances in choice of clothing and his placement within the domestic scene. I also wanted to contrast the interior gloom with a bright lit exterior (which he ignores), to signal how fully he is affected by the relentless burden of providing for our family, and how deeply he shoulders the heavy responsibility. He is pensive, weary in contemplation."

Selves 2023 by Sarah Hickey

"This portrait explores Gabriel Garcia Marquez's assertion that 'Human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves'.

"Inspired by Matryoshka dolls, the image represents the concept of duality: a higher self and inner critic, a mother self and a child-like persona, the internal vs the external. I wanted these personas to coexist, interconnect and harmonise with one another. 

"In this piece a larger self protectively cradles a smaller version. Two avian guardians sit on my shoulders - a connect to spirit - while we both hold a sword-like paintbrush. Granny squared blankets and Suzani motifs symbolise life's cyclic nature, the knitting of time, and the enduring importance of change and growth."

Reverie 2024 by Marco Pennacchia

"In my painting Reverie, I aim to capture the profound emotional depth hidden within my inner self, serving as a manifesto for personal freedom often suppressed in today's society. Emerging from a culturally restrictive background, I grapple with expressing my inner femininity, a predominant theme in this oil artwork. Delicately veiled by linen fabric, the subject's forms and facial expressions subtly emerge, symbolising the complex emotions concealed within. 

 "Reverie portrays my vulnerability confronting fears and insecurities while revealing my true self to the world. It explores the dichotomy between external appearance as a visual facade and the intrinsic essence that defines our humanity. Through this introspective piece, I challenge viewers to contemplate the depths of their own inner selves and the courage required to embrace authenticity in a society that often demands conformity."

How the Light Gets In 2023 by Seabastion Toast

"Over two decades ago, Karlee Rawkins and I embarked on our undergraduate life together. While life led us down different roads, fate has brought us back to the same community once more. 

"In creating this portrait, I sought to capture the essence of Karlee's world - a world illuminated by the winter light streaming through the windows of her home. This play of light and nature serves as a symbolic representation of her work, which delves into the profound connections between wildlife, nature, and the human psyche.

"Amid the chaos of family life, she radiates a meditative serenity, an unwavering devotion to her craft always at the forefront of her mind. Her life and art are inseparable, a testament to her enduring commitment.

"In the distant doorway, you'll find her son's silhouette, a powerful symbol of her transformation from a solitary studio artist to a loving mother, disability-rights advocate and artist."

The Man Under the Hat 2024 by Barbara Cheshire

"Prior to interviewing Bob Katter, the only knowledge I had of this man was the negative comments the media printed and that perhaps he was a man of the land. However, talking to the folk from Northern and Western Queensland and with the man himself for a considerable time, a different and intriguing picture emerged. This active hands-on helper who looks out for Queensland has a wicked sense of humour and is smart as whip. You only need to flip through the book he has written to appreciate his knowledge. Although Bob tells it like it is despite the possible backlash, he is the longest-serving member of Parliament and an interesting subject to paint."

Self Portrait with Purple Gove 2023 by Christine Wrest-Smith

"This painting reflects the level of concentration I adopt when painting a self-portrait, requiring the scrutiny and objectivity needed to study one's image. 

"I was drawn to the idea and risk of wearing a white shirt while working - the medium and process of oil paint being the natural enemy of the clean and crisp shirt.

"Many artists wear gloves when painting for health reasons; the skin is porous and some pigments need to be used with care. But the wearing of gloves has potential narratives on offer. 

"As I initially considered the inclusion and colour of my gloves for this work, a meaning and purpose sprang to mind. 

"The colour purple symbolised the Suffragettes women's movement at the beginning of the 20th century, so for me, the very appropriate context for my purple gloves is to represent the strength of women in every aspect."

Bereavement (Dad's death mask on his death bed) 2023 by Lisa Ashcroft

"My father died last year. I arrived just an hour after his passing due to a flight delay.

"As I stood by his bedside, his body still retained warmth, but his once gentle and serene face was now contorted and twisted, his body bent and buckled by the ravages of dementia. He was no longer the man I knew, stripped of his geniality and senses.

"In that surreal moment, time seemed to slow down, enveloping us in a scene reminiscent of a Caravaggio painting. The room closed in around us, every detail magnified.

"The pattern on the bedspread resembled a tide of crucifixes, reminding me of his upbringing in a Catholic orphanage. memories of his life achievements and accolades flooded my mind, mingling with the raw onset of grief.

"My father, Philip Ashcroft, was immortalised in my mind's eye as I witnessed his final moments. This painting captures the essence of his passing - a raw, honest portrayal that was emotionally wrenching to create.

Rise 2003 by Christine Baker

"The work is about playing it safe and keeping a regular job. The raincoat symbolises protection from the weather but also protection from taking a step into the unknown. The older figure at the top always wanted to be an artist but worked a regular job for security. the young adventurous soul always remained within and finally the older soul took the step to become an artist."

Self-Portrait in Water 2024 by Sam Scoufos

"I have been experimenting with using various liquids as a means of creating spontaneous gestures within my work. This purposeful, distorted self-portrait is a challenge to myself on what a photograph can be. The refracted and reflected light playing off the peaks and troughs of the water project a familiar image of reflection. Yet, during this suspension of movement, the water reveals a distorted and often grotesque image of self. The way in which the image appears is also reminiscent of agitating a developer tray and revealing a black-and-white darkroom print."

A Portrait Within Art 2023 by Christine Hall

"I selected Pam Walpole, a highly regarded contemporary landscape artist, to be part of my book titled 'Artists in Studios'. She has won many awards, more recently the Pamela Whitlock Prize. I am endeavouring to portray Pam as part of the work - leaving a fraction of herself immersed in the art. Capturing an inner portrait of Pam with her expressive brushstrokes - her face mesmerised and hands give an insight into the passionate depths the artist can transport us to. 

"The process of an artist remains unique and individual. the symbiotic relationship between the art of photography and the artists' work complement each other."

Umbrella Man 2024 by Dane Beesley

"The sharp lines of his black suit speak of professionalism, yet their sombre hue betrays a deeper truth. The weight of expectation, the pressure to provide, and the expectation to succeed plague his mind. This is a portrait not just of an individual but of a system that demands conformity, leaving countless others navigating its labyrinthine paths in search of a place to belong."

The Party 2022 by Andrew Rovenko

"The Rocketgirl's journey started as a stress response to the pandemic restrictions, but lasted way beyond that, as the little astronaut kept exploring her surroundings, feeding the child's curiosity, learning about the universe and looking for her place in it. 

"This image is one of the memories from small but magical worlds discovered in our backyard at the strangest of times. Looking at the world through the eyes of a child reminds us of one special power we all have but often forget after becoming grown-ups: the power to imagine."

These two ceramic works were part of a different exhibition entirely, but I really like their colour, boldness and sense of fun.

Ceramic Head II (Cat Lady) 1990 by Robert Burton

Gaia 2015 by Nadja Burke