The latest Behind the Lines: The year in political cartoons will return to Dubbo Regional Council's (DRC's) Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) to be opened by Political Cartoonist of the Year Cathy Wilcox. Compiled by the Museum of Australian Democracy, each year Behind the Lines is framed by a new theme and this year, the phrase 'a dog's breakfast' sums up a mess of a year in light-hearted way.
The 2020 exhibition focusses on key events – the bushfires, the pandemic's arrival and the political and human response, economic and leadership issues, political scandals and other issues – are all explored through a dog-hued lens. Museum of Australian Democracy Director Daryl Karp noted the disruptive and tumultuous events of 2020 have had an enormous impact on ordinary Australians, and invited visitors to make sense of 'a dog of a year' through political cartoons.
"The cartoonists in this year's exhibition come from across the political spectrum yet each bring their own robust interrogation of the goings-on in Canberra and the rest of the country," said Ms Karp.
"They also shed light on our own shock, fears, and human foibles as we grappled with a very tough year. A humble roll of toilet paper, for example won't look quite the same after Behind the Lines 2020.
Cathy Wilcox, cartoonist for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, received the 2020 Political Cartoonist of the Year award for the sharp eye she casts over both sides of politics and the ways she captured the momentous events of the year, as seen through the eyes of ordinary people. The WPCC is proud to welcome Cathy Wilcox as the opening speaker on 4 June at 6pm. Commenting on what cartoonists bring to news coverage, Ms Wilcox said:
"Cartoonists bring a kind of every person's view of what is happening in the news, which might help readers consolidate their own thoughts about issues."
Behind the Lines 2020 includes 104 cartoons from 36 cartoonists published by a broad range of media outlets, including one from the USA, with digital cartoons included for the first time.
DRC's Cultural Development Co-coordinator, Jessica Moore is excited to be able to show Behind the Lines again after its popularity last year.
"We were fortunate to have this exhibition on last year when we re-opened following COVID-19, but due to ongoing restrictions we couldn't celebrate it in the way we wanted. This year we can welcome so many more to see the fantastic, biting, poignant and funny way that cartoonists have captured the last crazy year".
"We are honoured to have Cathy Wilcox visit us here in Dubbo, as one of the nation's leading cartoonists, she has been at the forefront of how we see our national discourse and her works are always insightful and funny, but full of heart"
Cathy Wilcox will open Behind the Lines: The year in political cartoons on 4 June at 6pm at the Western Plains Cultural Centre. The community is invited to attend the opening of this exciting exhibition.
Image Caption: Cathy Wilcox in Canberra, 2020, The Canberra Times. Photograph: Matt Loxton.
