Purple Spider Studio

2007-10-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

This is Amy Sailor, a decendant of the Kanaka people of Ingham. Amy and other students worked for two weeks on a mural depicting the historic, cultural and environmental aspects of the Hinchenbrook area of Queensland. This is an excellent way to teach students about the value of their community and to visualise a major piece of artwork. It is permantently exhibited in Ingham to the pride of all involved.

2007-10-09T01:32:00.000-07:00

The biggest caricature exhibition in the World!

Check out my contribution

http://www.caricatura.ro/joanne_brooker.htm

2007-08-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

QUEENSLAND MEDIA AWARDS

Joanne Brooker has been nominated in the catagory of Best Artwork in the Queensland Media Awards for 2007 for her caricature of Attorney General Philip Ruddock for Dissent magazine. Joanne won this award last year for her caricature of Kerry Packer printed in The Walkley magazine Joanne has won this award three times before during her time as editorial artist with News Ltd.

www.queenslandmediaawards.com.au

2007-07-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

NEW CARICATURE WORKSHOP DATES!!!

Here are the dates for the next round of Caricature Workshops

July 21.22 at Brisbane Institute of Art

bookings www.brisart.org

Metro Arts Weekend Workshops

September 22/23

November 24/25

December 15/16

Never too early to book!

Metro Arts workshops book at purplespider@optusnet.com.au

2007-07-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

My exhausting and truely awesome trip to the Salt Plains of Salor de Uyuni.

2007-07-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

My favourite Cafe in La Paz. Filled with Spanish antiques, old clocks, sunshine, 80's music and the BEST coffee ever!

2007-07-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

Huggy Bears..Avril and Alexanjo, both TOP cartoonists.

2007-07-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

My translator and best Bolivian friend, the gorgeous Wara!

2007-07-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

Salor de Uyuni, the incredable salt plains of Bolivia.

2007-07-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

My artwork is incuded in the Exhibition of Creative Women and the Art of the Comics. This unique exhibition of Women cartoon artwork is travelling throughout South America, Spain and the USA. The exhibition includes panel discussions by women artist on the subject of their work and what they bring to the artform.

2007-07-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Cheeky lot painted my caricature of Alanis Morrisette on the gallery wall as an introduction to my workshops. I made it clear that this is NOT a picture of me!

2007-07-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

The opening of the festival at the Museo Tambo Quirquincho in la Paz

2007-07-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

La Paz sits in a huge canyon at 3660 metres above sea level. From every angle the city crawls up the sides of he canyon to the Altoplato above.

2007-07-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

The colour and drama of La Paz festivals.

2007-07-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

I am finally back in wonderful Queensland! As much as I love travel there is nothing like your own homeland. Mind you I had an absolute ball with my new friends in Bolivia and Peru! What party animals!
The Encuentro International De Historietas was huge. Hats off to the amazing team that put togethr an arts festival that lasted full on for a whole month!
Here are osme pictures of the event that dont come close to the best of the festival...more will be coming up. For other pics check out the great Jose Chiqui Vilcas' blog

http://lanuez.blogspot.com/2007/06/las-mujeres-creadoras-y-el-arte-de-la.html

2007-05-30T08:42:00.002-07:00

I havnt been up dating this because I have been way way too busy! Those who do. do those who dont. write diaries!
I am now in Ecuador staying at a gorgeous eco lodge in the mountains surrounded by rainforest and hummingbirds..open fireplaces and great food. Today is being spent in the city of Quito.
I left Bolivia May 26 where I have been staying with friends in Lima. Lima is a huge full on city..the best and worst..but fantastic seafood.

Every day of this trip has been filled with surprises and challenges. Travel is definately not a Getaway Package Tour but actually on-the-ground experiences and if you are as lucky as me to make such a great bunch of South America mates, then you have it made.

I will have my stories and film edited when I get back to Oz but here are a few teasers...
I met the Minister of Education of Bolivia and the richest scariest Aymara women at a party that was one of my lifes most surreal experiences. These ladies wear so much gold they have personal bodyguards.
I have interviewed street people of Bolivia about their lives and hopes. I have experienced the South America version of partying which would put an Aussie football team to shame..these people can go for DAYS!

I traveled to Salor De Uyuni and it was a MASSIVE trip. These are the salt plains of Bolivia and are the wildest coldest most spectacular of wildernests ..Flamingos flying over sulpher lakes on a background of blue black wind whipped mountains, frozen streams and llamas. A hard trip but well worth the travel suffering.

My next push is to Iran...stay tuned!

2007-05-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Lake Titikaka is a wonder. The hiighest navagatable lake in the world, it looks like a deep blue ocean. I travelled from La Paz to Copacabana and then by boat to the Island of the Sun. Just like living in a story book! The legend has it that the sun and moon were born from the island and as I watched the sun rise over the Lake I can well believe it. I shared the moment with a llama who wasnt as impressed as me but he hung out withme all the same. Copacabana is definately the place to hang out in the sun...very colourful and laidback . This is where you bring your car to be blessed at the local church! I can imagine plenty of 4x4 drivers in Oz that would love to have this done and chuck a car party afterwards! I haev loads of pics to put up as soon as I get them sorted.

2007-05-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

The stories are coming thick and fast. I am putting together a series of filmed stories on the local Hop Hop singers whose lirics are in Atmara the ancient Incan language. They live in the roughest poorest part of town, El Alto. I went there last night to do a radio interview for the local youth radio and was then introduced to one of the young toughs who create the music. He did an excellent piece to camera..they are real performers! This would be a great piece for JJJ TV.
I am also doing a story on the cultural changes in La Paz..the modern trendy art scene and the campas from the villages who dress and live in the old ways. There is also a great story about the local shoe shine boys..but more about that later! Having the priviledge of working and being taken in as an amigo of local people has given me an opportunity to see a side to La Paz that I would never see as a tourist.

2007-05-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

La Paz is the highest city in the world at 6330 metres above sea level..ok..Potasi just pips it at a little higher but this is the biggest! From a height it looks like a giant crater filled with broken red bricks. The city fills the centre and climbs to the edges spilling over into the Plato. Teh whole city pullsates with energy. The streets are full of people day and night..and th enight people you leave alone. I am staying in a tiny friendly hostel filled with spanish antiques. I recommend it to any of you looking to get away from the usual dorm backpackers and tatty charmless hotels. Arcabucero ( 2313473) $10 US a night , basic but nice. As anyone who travels alot you know a place to call your own means a lot!
As a guest of the Encuentro International Festival of Art at the Tambo Quinchuincho, I have been involved in many events. I took two caricature classes all in English with my very patient translator Wada. Dispite the translation the class of fifty each day were attentive and involved. In fact, they had to be pushed out of the door after the class! I was really pleased with how the classes went as I had no idea how it would be recieved here.

2007-04-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

Now this is mucho cool!

http://lanuez.blogspot.com/2007/04/joanne-brooker-de-australia-para-el.html

Joanne Brooker es un kiwi, australiano, canadiense, que viaja por el mundo enseñando, exhibiendo su arte y experimentando otras culturas. Después de estudiar Arte Comercial en el college de Arte de Queensland. Joanne se unio a los periodicos de Queensland como ilustrador editorial. Bajo el nombre de, Applegate, Joanne creó ilustraciones para News Ltd por diez años. Sus ilustraciones van de realista, simbólico, humoritico, gráficos de computadora, especializandose en caricatura.Joanne es reconocida en la industria como uno de las artistas principales de los medios de Australia. En 2001 ella dejó los periódicos de Queensland para viajar por el mundo. Volviendo en 2002, Joanne continuó viajando y trabajando por China y Australia como un caricaturista y profesor de arte. La dedicacion de Joanne a su arte la hizo emprender un viaje sola a Irán durante las protestas pore la caricatura danesa hecha a Mahoma, esto con el proposito de entender el poder de la caricatura politica desde dentro de un pais musulman.Han exhibido el trabajo de Joanne en Barcelona, Irán, Escocia, Francia, China y por todas partes de Australia. Han publicado el trabajo de Joanne por todo el mundo como un artista y escritora. Joanne una profesional de medios ganadora de multiples premios, que entiende el proceso creativo del arte y su aplicaciones

PremiosNSW Premios de Periodismo:Mejor Arte 2005Bringing Down the House, Old Parliament House, Canberra:
Premio del PublicoThe Stanley AwardsArtsita del Año, Stanley de oroCaricaturista del AñoNominada Mejor Artista RealistaNominada Mejor CaricaturistaQueensland Media Awards,
Mejor Arte Editorial (premiada 2 veces)Coffs Harbour Rotary Cartoon AwardsMejor Caricatura, (premiada 2 veces)Nominada mejor Caricatura (nominada 3 veces)
Walkley AwardsFinalista
ExhibicionesGalleriazero, Barcelona 2006
Saales Gallery, Tehran 2006
Coolac Festival of Fun, Bald Archies, Sydney
St Justin Cartoon Exhibition, France
Sunday Mail Art Exhibition
Ayr Cartoon Festival, Scotland
Brisbane State Library "Media Art, Past, Present and Future".
Sydney Art Gallery, Darling Harbour,
Sydney.Bunker Cartoon Gallery "Australian Women Cartoonists"
IDC Venue, Newcastle
Back to Back Gallery, Newcastle "Hope"
Entered The Archibald Portrait Competition 2004
Exhibited galleries Queensland and NSW.
Enseñanza de ArteUniversidad de Southern Queensland
McGregor Escuela de Verano/Escuela de Invierno, Toowoomba
Darwin Parliament House
Libreria Comunal de Alice Springs
Centro Comunal de Artes de NewcastleHunter Community College
Libreria Estatal de QueenslandGrafton Artsfest
Bunker Cartoon GalleryInstituto de Arte de Brisbane
Libreria Estatal de Newcastle
Woodford Folk Festival
Palais NewcastleMaryborough Festival de ArteUSQ
McGregor Escuela de InviernoFlying Arts Queensland, talleres por todo QueenslandActividades GeneralesTours de promocion en China, a 13 ciudades y muchas provincias.8 al 21 de Abril de 2003, 8 al 25 de Octubre de 2003,15 de Marzo al 14 de Abril de 2004

2007-04-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Bolivia and Iran Artists Odyssey Begins

As anyone who has travelled overseas knows, the journey begins about two weeks before when you begin a slow mental melt down. I woke in a panic two weeks ago ..where is my passport!! Yes..I know I posted it to the Iran embassy for a visa so that is most likely where it is..but what if it isnt!!!! So for the past two weeks I have been hammering my mobile trying to get through to them. I left messages, I emailed, I faxed...nothing! I went quietly balistic at an the Australian consulate who wouldn't send someone around from their Canberra office to go bang on the Iranians door for me..funny that!
However..this morning after ringing twenty times I nearly fell off my chair when the Iranian embassy actually answered. The passport is there..it awaits visa confirmation which will be known next week. Fine...core melt down averted...

In the mean time..Bolivia is rocking along. Jose Chique Vilca is my Peruvian main man is sorting out important things like picking me up from the airport, finding me somewhere to stay and organising my drinks....obviously important to Peruvian party people! Fine with me!

I will be speaking on a womans panel about us women in cartooning. I was on a similar women artists panel in Australia so it will be interesting to see if our experiences are similar. That will be an interesting report.

So to repack my bag for the fifteeth time and to figure out how to use all the go go gadgets I have bought to record this trip.
Stay tuned!

2007-04-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Here is all the latest from the Arde 5to Encuentro Internacional de Historietas in La Paz. OK ..it is all in Spanish but there is an English translation bar on the right side to sort that out.

http://lanuez.blogspot.com/2007/04/esto-esta-que-arde-5to-encuentro.html

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://lanuez.blogspot.com

2007-04-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

I am starting to go International again!

http://www.vinetasconaltura.com/brooker.htm

JOANNE BROOKER
(Australia)
Joanne Brooker viaja por el mundo enseñando, mostrando su arte y experimentando otras culturas. Después de estudiar Arte Comercial en el Queensland College of Art, Joanne se une a Queensland Newspapers como ilustradora editorial. Bajo el seudónimo Applegate, Joanne trabajó para News Ltd por 10 años. Su trabajo es realista, simbólico o generado en computadora, pero siempre enfocado a la caricature. Joanne es reconocida en el mundo como una de las principales artistas australianas. Actualmente trabaja en China y Australia como caricaturista y profesora de arte. Su dedicación la llevó a realizar un viaje a Iran durante la crisis de las caricaturas danesas de Mahoma con el fin de entender el poder de la caricatura política dentro un país musulmán.
Ha expuesto su trabajo en Barcelona, Iran, Escocia, Francia, China y en toda Australia.

2007-04-16T23:10:00.000-07:00

Metro Arts Weekend Workshop
September 22/23.

For those of you in Brizvegas can head over to Edward St in the city for another of my super popular

Introduction to Caricature weekend workshops.

Students are booking already so get in FAST!
$200 for the whole weekend including materials and a light lunch.

Contact purplespider@optusnet.com.au

2007-04-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

TWEED RIVER ART GALLERY
Fri 6, Sat 7 and Sun 8 July.

Thsi great art workshop is targeted at all artists who have ever played with the idea of illustrating for the print media.
Thsi is a professional development >workshop to show budding new media artist the REAL story about how to work in the industry. You will get professional opinions and insider knowledge

1) Outline of the print media industry / local players
2) Historical and current use of illustration in the media with examples
3) Styles and genres of illustration
4) What is needed and what makes money
5) How and who to approach at the papers.>
6) Practical exercises> - cartooning - comics- general illustration for articles and stories
Contact Frank Stadler for bookings.
FStadler@tweed.nsw.gov.au
www.tweed.nsw.gov.au

2007-04-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Sturt Winter School June 25th - 29th.

As soon as I arrive back from my Art Journey to Iran and Bolivia I am heading down to the Sturt Winter School!
I am running my very popular Caricature/Portraiture classes for a full week of concentrated art fun.

BOOK EARLY!

All details online or contact me and I'll get you in!

http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/course_winter.htm

WINTER SCHOOL
Rug up and get creative this winter!
The 2007 Winter School will be held from June 25th - 29th. Courses cost $440 for one week and $880 for the two week courses (GST included).

Accommodation and meals are available in the adjacent Frensham boarding school - heated rooms, single beds, no locks, shared bathrooms, linen and blankets provided with all meals included. Costs for one week are below. For two-week courses, double the accommodation cost. Single: $417 Share: $357 arriving Sunday evening and leaving Friday evening Single: $348 Share: $301 arriving Monday morning and leaving Friday evening
Enrolments now open. Download the enrolment form as a PDF. Enrolments are by mail, fax or email only.
Post to : Sturt, P.O. Box 34, Mittagong NSW 2575Fax to: 02 4860 2081Email to: mpatey@sturt.nsw.edu.au

2007-03-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

Aussie Cartoonist in Iran and Bolivia
Never before has a female Australian cartoonist ventured so far off the beaten track

Joanne Brooker is following up her last brave venture into Iran during the Danish cartoon wars, with another trip back to really get into what makes Iranian cartoonists tick. Not happy with just that, she is also heading to the highest city in the world, Bolivia, to meet with more cartoonists!

During this amazing trip Joanne will be exhibiting her artwork and lecturing at Universities in both countries...a real FIRST!

.Joanne will be writing and photographing each unique event with the given co-operation of journalists in Iran and Bolivia. This is a great prividge and available to Joanne only because she established a mutual trust with the people and organisations involved.

Joanne’s Caricature artwork is currently exhibited in a unique exhibition titled “Creative Woman and the Art of Comic” Exposicin Las Mujeres Creadoras y El Arte De La Caricatura

This is the first time an exhibition has been organized to promote Female Caricaturists. Female Caricaturists are a rare commodity world wide as is the case in Australia.

There are 34 professional female artists from 21 countries participating in this exhibition. Joanne is the only Australian professional female Caricaturist to participate. The exhibition will be displayed until 2008 in ten countries.

Joanne has been personally invited by the Bolivian Cultural Minister, Edgar Arandia Quiroga, to represent Australia at the Quinto Encuentro Internacional de Historietas de La Paz.
The event is taking place over a one week period from the 14th to 19th of May 2007.

Joanne has also been invited by the Hozeye Honary Esfahan ( Esfahan Art Field) to exhbit her Caricature artwork in the Esfahan Cartoon Association Anniversary Exhibition opening May 24 2007. As an an honorary member of this association she has been given permission to attend lectures on cartooning at both Esfahan University and Najaf Abad University. Faculty heads have also requested that she speak to the students of these Universities about cartooning.

Prior to becoming a freelancer in 2001, Joanne worked for ten years for News Ltd as an editorial illustrator. The standard and quality of her work has been highly awarded by the media industry including her latest award, Cartoon of the Year from the Queensland Media Awards. Her work is widely published and has been exhibited in France, Scotland, Iran, Barcelona and Australia. .

CONTACT AND DETAILS

The Woman’s Caricature exhibition has been traveling to the following countries:

Exhibition in Lima, Perú, July de 2006.
Graphic Humor Program, Fundación General Universidad de Alcalá, Spain, October, 2006.
La Ghignata, Festivalmuggiò d'Arte Leggera –Seven days!, Monza, Italy, October, 2006.
Museum de Impresa, Portugal, November, 2006.
Internacional Guadalajara Book Fair, México, December, 2006.

with the following locations still to go:

Exhibition in Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2007.
Bienal Humor Exhibition, San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba, March 25 - 29, 2007.
Bienal Exhibition Humoralia, Spain, September, 2007.
Bienal Art Exhibition, Georgia Cultural Center, USA, May, 2008.

The Bolivian Exhibition is held at the Tambo Quirquinuncho museum in La Paz.
The Esfahan Cartoon Association Anniversary Exhibition is held at the Esfahan Gallery, Iran

Joanne Brooker
Purple Spider Studio, PO Box 1275, Spring Hill
Brisbane QLD 4004 Australia

Mobile: 0422662019

www.purplespiderstudio.com.au
http://purplespiderstudio.artsblogs.com/blog/blog.asp?blogId=8406
www.purple-spider-studio.blogspot.com
http://www.artistswithoutfrontiers.com/jbrooker/index.html
http://www.the-nose.com/artists/applegate/applegate.html
http://purplespiderstudio.artsblogs.com/blog/blog.asp?blogId=8406
http://www.flyingarts.org.au/touring-workshops-artists-brooker-joanne.htm

2007-01-31T22:44:00.000-08:00

Warped Beauty

Acrylic on canvas

available

2007-01-31T22:42:00.000-08:00

Sydney Freelance Conferance

Joanne Brooker has been booked to speak at the Sydney Freelance Conferance in March 2007. Joanne will be speaking of her experiences as a freelance artist and how her work using the internet has opened doors to the world stage.
Freelance Convention-Journalists and Artists, ensure you get your first pick of sessions by registeringnow to attend the 10th Annual Freelance Journalism Convention, March 31 - April 1 in Sydney.Members and non-members can register by phoning 1300 656 513. Speakers also include Jack Marx,Anne Manne, Steve Cannane, Stephen Dupont, Lee Tulloch and Judith Whelan (ed., GoodWeekend). To see the full speaker line-up and program, please visit http://freelance.alliance.org.au/.

2007-01-31T22:37:00.000-08:00

Joanne Brooker with Iggy Painting.

2007-01-31T22:29:00.000-08:00

Celebraty Montage Painting

Acrylic on canvas Available for purchase

Joanne Brooker

2007-01-31T22:27:00.000-08:00

View of Interpretations of Face exhibition

2007-01-31T22:24:00.000-08:00

Interpretations of Face Exhibition

How it looked.
Metro Arts Gallery

2007-01-31T22:16:00.000-08:00

Look At Me. Interpretations of Face.

Exhibition at Metro Arts in Brisbane, Queensland, 2006

from left: Ellie Tarratt..sculpter extroidinaire, Joanne Brooker..Portrait artist and cruel caricaturist..Kris Mitchell..Photographer and all round cool guy.

2007-01-31T22:13:00.001-08:00

Interview with an Australian cartoonist about Esfahan
In this post you can read my interview with Joanne Brooker ,a famous cartoonist from Australia, traveled to Isfahan some months ago to show her art in a gallery in Tehran. This interview was published in one of the best Esfahanian weekly magazine, Shahrvandemrooz.
Joanne Brooker is recognised as one of Australia's top media artists. During 10 years full-time as The Courier-Mail's head illustrator, Joanne was awarded some of Australia's highest media art awards. She has had her art exhibited all around Australia as well as the United Kingdom and Europe. Her fascination for her craft has encouraged her to share her talents and experience in many workshops that are in high demand all over Australia.After studding Commercial Art at the Queensland College of Art Joanne joined Queensland Newspapers as an editorial illustrator. Under the name, Applegate, Joanne created artwork for News Ltd for ten years. Her artwork covered realistic, symbolic, cartoon,computer graphics specializing in caricature. Joanne is recognized in the industry as one of Australia‚s leading media artists. In 2001 she left Queensland Newspapers to travel the world. Returning in 2002, Joanne continued traveling and working throughout China and Australia as a Caricaturist and Art Teacher.Joanne's dedication to her craft saw her undertake a solo journey to Iran during the Danish cartoon protests in order to understand the power of political cartoon from within a Muslim country.Joanne has been exhibited in Barcelona, Iran, Scotland, France, China and all over Australia. Joanne has been published worldwide as an artist and writer. Joanne is an award winning professional media artist that understands the creative process of art and its application.
1-What did you feel when you see Isfahan for the first time?I was excited to see the place described as half of the world! I was reading my travel book every day in anticipation of the wonders I would see and I was not disappointed when I arrived in Isfahan.2- What did you think about Isfahan before coming here? And what was a real Isfahan?I had read about the famous mosques in Isfahan but I had no idea of the layout or feel of Isfahan. I noticed far more women were wearing the chador than in Tehran so I expected this was a very holy place. Isfahan was filled with people shopping for the new year which I enjoyed. I was able to wander and mix with ordinary people out shopping as we do at home.3-Why did you choose Isfahan in your short journey to Iran?I wanted to see one for the most famous Islamic cities in the world and especially to visit Emam Khomeini Square. I was so thrilled to be able to wander alone around the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque taking in its splendors. I was filled with the feeling of great age, holiness and beauty within the mosque. It is far more wondrous than any other religious building I have ever visited.4- What did surprise you in Isfahan?I was surprised at how friendly the people are. I was invited to lunch with a family and we had a great afternoon chatting about our countries. I was invited into a bakery to meet and take photos of the bakers. I was surprised at the size of the Emam Khomeini Square . I loved that it was filled with so many people all enjoying themselves.5-If you were the Mayor of Isfahan what would you do for this city and its inhabitant and especially for the tourists who travel to this city?I would offer them easy to read maps and easy ways for them to access transport to the different areas around Isfahan. It would have been wonderful to have a guide for the day to tell me more about the sights around isfahan. It can be difficult for shy tourists to speak to people they don’t know for fear of appearing rude or ignorant. I would also encourage visitors to see the art galleries that are of an excellent standard.6- If you want to count your favorite cities what would be the rank of Isfahan?I have traveled to Paris, London, Bangkok, Hanoi, Singapore, Sydney, Katmandu and so many other cities. Isfahan has an energy and liveliness that ranks it highly with all of these cities. Isfahan is unique in it's history, culture and openness.7-If one of your friends wants to travel to Isfahan what would you suggest him or her?I would suggest spending a lazy day wandering the streets taking in the sights, chatting to people, putting aside a day to wander the magnificent Emem Khomeiini Square. I would tell them to take a day to spend buying a carpet, not only to purchase one, but to als enjoy learning about the value and history of this art form.8-How would you describe Isfahan to your Australian friends?I describe Isfahan as one of the loveliest place I have been to in the world. That I felt safe and cared for there. I would also tell them to be very very careful crossing the road!9-What is the most interesting thing you see in Isfahan? And what was odd for you?The most interesting experience was standing under the dome of the Emem mosque and clapping my hands as I had seen on a travel program at home. That was exciting for me to finally be in the place I had only dreamed of from a TV program in my Australian living room. It was odd for me to see young girls wearing the chador and looking so elegant in them. I admired their ability to wear them so gracefully, which I cant manage. I tripped up on mine!10-Could you tell us your best experience (or memory) during your journey in Isfahan?I was met by two young cartoonists who took me to the art gallery to see an exhibition of Cartoon and Caricature artwork. They had put up a banner welcoming me which I was not expecting. The standard of artwork was superb and I was greatly impressed. I have stayed in touch with these artists over the internet since returning home and they have often asked me to return and enjoy their city again.
11-Did you have any bad experience or awful memory about your journey to Isfahan?I foolishly wandered into a bazaar with my expensive camera. I was surrounded by people who tugged my clothing and yelled at me. I left very quickly as I think I was being told that it wasnt a good idea to take somehting so expensive into a poor area. It was my own fault.12-Did you buy any thing from Isfahan for yourself or your friends? whatwas their reaction ?what is your opinion about the handicrafts of Isfahan ?I bought some jewelry for my daughters as I was traveling and couldn’t get anything too large to carry. They wear the jewelry all the time when I was a little girl I read the story The Arabian Nights about geniis and great treasures. In Isfahan I felt that my story book pictures had come to life.13-If you want to suggest one of your friends who want to travel to Isfahan to buy some thing precious, what would it be?Of course I would suggest a carpet. I would suggest spending a great deal of time with sellers and to enjoy the experience. Buying a carpet is not like at home; it is an education in Persian art and history.14-What`s your opinion about Isfahanian food?The food is very healthy. I like rice and fresh food. I like coffee and tea very much but I am not fond of sweet drinks.15- What’s your opinion about Isfahanian youth?Isfahanian girls and boys? Isfahanian people?Such good looking people! The girls are so elegant with tiny hands and large lovely eyes. The boys are like at home, fashionable and confident, looking handsome for the girls! I was treated so well in Isfahan and I felt it was always ok for me to speak to people which is not always the case in many cities.16-How many days did you stay in Isfahan?I was so sad to leave after only three days. It was not long enough and there was so much more for me to see.17-If there is something that I should ask you but I don’t, please ask ityourself and answer it yourself too!I would like to return to Isfahan one day. Until I have that chance again I hope to stay in touch with the good friends I made there so I can visit them again.
http://esfahan-reporter.blogspot.com/2006/11/in-this-post-you-can-read-my-interview.html

2007-01-31T22:13:00.000-08:00

2007-01-31T22:11:00.000-08:00

THE YEAR THAT WAS 2006
What an amazing year!
The highlight for me has to be my solo journey through Iran. My opportunity to travel through such a ancient country and to meet talented artists is still in my mind and imagination. I finally found the magical lands of all my childhood stories. The ruins of Persipolis was like stepping into a history book. Iran made me see the other side to all the cruelty of media hype and war mongering politicans. We are all one people and must support each other and respect our differances. I was made so welcome in Iran and I thnak everyone that went out of their way to ensure my comfort and safety.
Thanks to El Telegraph for their support in connecting me in Iran with Ouday Journi from Arab television without whom I would never have made it through. Ouday remains a good friend and I wish him the best in Russia.
Thanks to Iranian cartoonist Kianoosh Ramezani and his wonderful friends for organising my exhibition at Salles gallery in Tehran.
I am hoping to return to Iran again to answer the many questions I still have about the country and it's people.
My visit to Paris did, ofcourse, put me in artists heaven...again..I shall return!
My exhibition in Barcelona at Galleriazero Gallery in the gorgeous gothic area of Canvas Nous was an amazing experience. My work exhibited around the corner from the Picasso Gallery..nice company!
London..did I get the best day of the year..cool, blue and clear with just a touch of snow. I was made so welcome by my cartoonist friends ( Big G'day Lazza Goldsmith and cartoon editor Ken Larson!) at The Mirror. Loved the pub lunch with jam rolly polly!
On my return stories and interviews of my latest trip were presented in The Diplomat , The Courier-Mail, SBS radio, ABC radio and New Matilda, Brisbane Circle, Bemac Magazine, Artworkers Magazine and The Walkley Magazine.
Steve Canaane from my favourite radio station Triple J interviewed me before and after my trip on the Danish Cartoon riots and my experiences as a female cartoonist in a strictly censored Muslim country, I had the opportunity to thank him at the Walkley Awards where he picked up a well deserved gong.
Mainstream media ( Lateline, The Australian) interviewed me on film before I left but lost interest on my return as I avoided being kidnapped or beheaded..sorry guys...I worked for ten years in the media, I understand how it works!
I have every intention of continueing my world travels and have some surprises in store in the future. War Artist in Afganistan? Watch this space...
I was the recipient of yet another award for my artwork this year! I was honoured with The Queensland Media Award for Best Cartoon. This award proved that my work is noticed and appreciated. This has strengthened my resolve to continue to make comment with my art.
March saw us putting together an exhibition called Look at Me! This was a collaboration between myself, top photographer Kris Mitchell and sculpter Ellie Tarratt. The theme was Faces..each of us made our own interpreation of this theme. The result was classy, professional and well worth all the effort. It was also a great excuse for a damn good party at the Metro Arts Gallery!
I have run many workshops this year from Metro Arts with great success. Having the oportunity to introduce the art of caricature to so many students has been wonderful. My most dedicated students continue to work with me to improve their skills and to keep quality caricature alive in Australia.
Writers Festival Brisbane and Towoomba featured myself as a tutor and speaker. I enjoy the opportunity to meet with some of Australias leading writers.
Melbourne Freelance Convention.
Evans and Peck introduced me to the skills of Corporate Visualisation. An amazing opportunity to stretch my editorial illustration skills creating artwork based on their business ideas formed during their convention at Collum Resort.
Holmsgen Tafe also contracted me to entertain as a caricaturist at their convention in Echuca in Victoria. I think I have found my calling! Four days of (paid!) fun at Rich River Resort, drawing dozens of happy IT folk, plastering a wall with my work and joining in the fabulous activities. All finished off with a jetboat rip up the Murray River! Thanks to Ron Gasgoine for his support.
South American Womans Caricature Exhibition. My work has travelled with this unique exhibtion thorughout South America, Portugal and Spain. Caricature is a far more respected artform in many countries..maybe Austraia will catch on eventually!
I have also managed to travel all over Queensland as a tutor with Flying Arts. Where...ok..here we go...Pimlico, Towoomba, Goondiwindi, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Kilcoy and many more places I cant ven remember!
McGregor Winter School! A whole week of concentrated art, good company and very good red wine!
The Walkley Magazine have been great supporters of my work, huge thanks to Deputy Director, Jane Worthington and Editor, Jacque Park..these chick's rock! I look foward t the next years round of stories to illustrate.
Watch for my work in future Dissent magazine, well worth a read for original comment and quality artwork.
Big thanks to Frank Stadler from Tweed River Gallery. This is a secret tucked away in the most wonderful valley. Frank and I have a bet that one day he will exhibit my Archibald entry!
Next gig? Woodford Folk Festival. I am taking three days of art workshops culminating in a huge montage of Woodford folk caricatures! Then it is all fun, music, dancing away the year and beginning my new year with a clean spirit!
This is the time to consolidate all of the successes of the year in order to plan the new year. My studio has been one of the great steps forward for my business. Having such a space in the city has centred my business relationships and concentrated my efforts.
Thanks to all my many old and new clients for commissioning my work and better still, paying for it! Every one an enjoyable challenge and a pleasure. Keep em coming!
My hopes for 2007? I shall be concentrating on my portrait work. I have two major works already planned and will end the next year with some strong new work. I will continue to push my self into new areas of art and to challenge myself and my abiliites.
I love Corporate Caricature Entertainment...being paid to do what I love and to meet interesting people is a treat! I intend to offer the BEST in Corporate Entertianment for next year. I am damn good at it and that's a fact!
I shall continue to run my Metro Arts Workshops. These will be exclusive workshops that focus on each students interests in Caricature, Portrait art, Political Cartooning and Dynamic lifedrawing.
I expect to continue to travel all over Queensland with Flying Arts. I am also now listed with the Arts Council I am looking forward to some real outback adventure! Lets see how far around Australia I canmake it this year!
A new year, a new beginning. I am looking forward to it already!

2006-04-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Iran: My Journey Through the Cartoon Wars
Here are some photographs of the wonderful artists I met on my recent visit to Iran. The Iran that I experienced was very different from the Iran we read about in the media. I travelled as a lone female western cartoonist and was treated with respect and care wherever I went. I look forward to returning and meeting my good friends again.

2006-04-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Galleriazero in Barcelona
Galleriazero Exhibition
I was invited to exhibit my caricature artwork at the wonderful galleriazero in Barcelona. The gallery is set amongst the medieval gothic churches and tiny stone laneways of Barra Gotic. Just a few lanes away is the Picasso Museum, a fine artistic tradition indeed! After the opening my new Spanish friends introduced me to the fine Spanish custom of tapas bars, good music and very late nights. I lived on La Ramblas for a week of art, museums, churches, cafes, food, wine, Gaudi and heavenly chocolate. What a town. I will soon go back!

2006-04-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

Maryborough Festival Weeks Worth of Caricature
Yes, it's on again! The Maryborough Festival. I will be taking a week long Cartoon and Caricature Class. This is your chance to spend a whole week just drawing your heart out! Great fun , no experience necessary..I have a whole week to get that inner cartoonist out!!
Maryborough couses run June 24-29, contact Audrey 07 4123 0618 email audreece@ozconnect.net Lorna 07 4121 4879 email snik@au00.com or write to: Workshops P.O. Box 1201, Maryborough 4650

2006-04-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

USQ McGregor Winter Arts Retreat
Do you fancy a whole week in the cool mountains mixing it up with some very cool people? Then head up to the USQ Winter School in Towoomba this July and come and spemd a week with me! I am running a totally new concept class. I created editorial illustration for ten years for Newsd Ltd. My job was to create artwork suitable for editorial stories. I will be teaching the thinking and technique in this specialised genre. Bring along your stories and I will show you how to create artwork to match and inhance your work. We will use whatever style that suits you, cartoon, realistic, symbolic, caricature..whatever. This is an opportunity for you to waork with a professional and to learn the techniques involved.
Book soon
July 10 - 15.
www.usq.edu.au/mcgregor mcgregor@usq.edu.au Ph 0746312755

2006-04-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Dates for Media Art Workshops
Bookmark these dates for each month. Each of these Workshops will be held at the Metro Arts Building , Edward St, Brisbane. Each workshop will take students through personal and professional artistic journey. Come along and see just what an amazing artist you really are!
May 27/28
June 17/18
July 15/16
Auguast 26/27
September 23/24
October 28/29
November 18/19

See you there!

2006-04-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

Cartoon Wars, the Jesters Battlefield.

Let’s clear a few facts. Muslims are not terrorists. Muhammad can be illustrated. The Danish cartoonists were used by Jyllands-Posten to sell newspapers, western newspaper cartoonists are not free to draw what they want and there is no such thing as free press. How do I know, I worked for ten years for an Australian newspaper as an editorial artist and I went into a Muslim country in the middle of the cartoon crisis.

In September 2005 the Danish Newspaper, Jyllands-Posten printed twelve cartoons of the Islamic Prophet, Muhammad that suggested a link between terrorism and Islam. The editor, Carsten Just, supported his arts editor, Fleming Rose, in printing the cartoons to illustrate a story on the freedom of the press. He was aware that many of the cartoons were inflammatory and later expressed surprise at the results of his decision. The Danish government refused to meet with the Muslim clerics who wanted to voice their anger.
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In retaliation for this insult, violent protests were ignited all over the Islamic world.
Over forty five people died over three months of Muslim fury in dozens of countries. I traveled to Iran in the middle of this as a lone female western cartoonist.

I was invited to exhibit my artwork in Tehran two years ago. By February the final arrangements had been finalized and I had my ticket bought and my Iranian visa confirmed for my trip in March.. I was in my usual comfy spot on the couch watching with one eye and ear to the news. The usual riots, protests, deaths, cartoons. Hang on, one of these words does not belong here. With mounting dread I watched as the issue escalated until, bingo, it reached Tehran, my exhibition venue.

Instead of listening to the doomsayers that predicted my quick demise as soon as I reached Tehran, this new turn of events encouraged me all the more. I wanted to find out what was really happening on the other side of the newspaper headlines.

I arrived in Tehran March 5 in my all black hijab trying to look inconspicuous. I usually make my way independently through some pretty off-road countries without a great deal of drama but this was a little different. I had never had my life threatened for my occupation before.

Tehran is a huge sprawling city of twelve million inhabitants. The roads are filled with cars ripping around in a mad game of dodgems. This city has all the big city problems of drugs, crime, prostitution and the like. The punishments are severe yet seem to pose no real deterrent, human nature being what it is.
Tehran wears a mantle of smog and looks like the next earthquake will knock it flat, which eventually it will, if Bush doesn’t get to it first.

Cities are often the loneliest places, but for all its faults, Tehran isn’t one of them. I seemed to become everyone’s interest and project. My cynical self wondered was this an insidious way of tracking me to make sure I wasn’t spying until I gave up on that line of thought. I was just relieved that someone bothered to care where I stayed, if I had eaten, what would I like to do, and to talk to me about their families, their lives and opinions on world politics.

As I might struggle to be heard though a wall of suits at an Australian function, here I was spoken to with openness and genuine interest.

I was met by the Gilan Cartoonists Association. They are a vibrant and talented group of young cartoonists dedicated to their art. Their exhibition, to which my work was included, was held in the very modern Saales Gallery in Tehran. As I sat surrounded by film students, internationally famous artists, actors, students and musicians, sipping my cappuccino and listening to Archie Roach on the music system, I had to remind myself I was in Iran not Melbourne.

The cartoonists I met in Iran are a close bunch. They know what they do is dangerous. Here was a country where cartoons were seen for what they are, visual opinions and therefore dangerous and to be controlled. As Art Buchwald said”Dictators of the right and the left fear the political cartoonist more then the do the atomic bomb. No totalitarian government can afford to be ridiculed”.

The cartoonists spoke to me about a group they were most wary of who they described to me as “gorillas” Eshan the cartoonist group president explained “You don’t look a gorilla in the eye or he will attack you, these people are hardliners and are connected to the mafia in Tehran. They were organized to create the protests at the embassies”
The group he was talking about are the Basiji made up of militant students. They make it their business to patrol the country as moral police, mostly making it tricky to arrange a good rave party, I was told. How dangerous they are depends on who they are reporting to at any one time.

Very few of these cartoonists have been allowed to illustrate for government run publications and even fewer make a living as artists. They work very much under the political radar and are always aware that they can be arrested at any time for their work. I was impressed with their courageousness and support for each other.

Sixty percent of Iran’s population is under twenty-five. Most have access to internet, many travel overseas, have a good education but face little chance of employment. It is only a matter of time until these people become the decision makers in their country and then change is inevitable. Perhaps the aged extremist Iranian government knows this and wants to insure their unwieldy power base by isolating its people from outside influences? Maybe that is what all governments do when they want to shore up support? Does that sound familiar?

Many times on my trip around Iran my eyes filled with tears. Partly out of relief that I didn’t meet with the end my Australian cohorts kindly predicted but also with the overwhelming friendliness of the Iranian people.

All over Iran people from all walks of life were eager to speak to me. According to the many people it would appear that there is little support for their president Mahmoud Armadinejad. Many people don’t agree that Pakistan and Israel are permitted nuclear arms but they are not comfortable with President Armadinejads handling of the issue. They are concerned about the future of Iran should the nuclear issue escalate into sanctions or even possible invasion by the US. They are confident that Iran is a huge and powerful country and the US could not win should they try to engage Iran in conflict, however, they are far more interested in improving the living conditions and economy in Iran than dealing with yet another war. Perhaps I should have hung out with the local hardliners but then you already have their opinions.

Many of the people I spoke to were highly educated and well traveled. A very long way from the screaming hoards pictured on the television at home. They are aware of John Howard’s strict immigration laws and his backing of the US government but Australia is seen by Iranians as a minor player in world politics. Many of the young people I spoke to knew a great deal about Australian culture as Australia is high on the list of countries for Iranian university students to continue their studies. We discussed movies we had seen and I was surprised at the number of American movies they listed. “We hate the Americans, but we love their movies!” was the great quote. How on earth did these people know so much about Australia? How could they possibly know about Guy Pierce, Skippy and the antics of Russell Crowe? What does Australia think about Iran I was asked. We think you are all a bunch of crazy terrorists. They laughed and asked, why? The TV tells us so, I said.
Even the front pages of the Iranian newspapers had photos of George Clooney receiving his Oscar.

Our general media has skirted around the real issue with stories that complain that Muslims don’t have a sense of humor, the lack of artistic merit of the cartoons, the rights of free press and the opinions of a few Australian based newspaper cartoonists. Ask an Aussie what they think of the cartoon protests and they will invariably say that the Muslims should just lighten up, it was just a bunch of cartoons.
This is, in fact, a fascinating example of the power of the visual image used as powerful propaganda. These cartoons have literally illustrated the massive divide of understanding between the Christian world and the Muslim world.
This issue needs to be taken seriously not sidelined as some foolish aberration.

The headlines today have forty thousand Iranian suicide bombers signing up for a massive raid on Western countries. One commentator has figured out why Australia would be on their shitlist as though we feel we might miss out or something. Armadinejad is flexing his bomb button pressing finger and promising his mates he will blast Israel off the map. Bush is being helped back into his cowboy boots by Rumsfield while Condi snuggles up to Blair and Howard, whispering sweet propaganda into their willing ears. This sounds just like a comic book story with caricature characters to me. If only it were.

My impressions of Iran are not that of the comic book baddie hell bent on nuclear war offering a hidey hole and pocket money for terrorists. It might well be, how would I know? I am just a cartoonist.
I went to Iran, liked it, bought a carpet.

I would like to organize an exhibition of the excellent cartoon and caricature from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to be shown here in Australia. I believe we can use this genre of visual comment to open discussion between our countries and help to remove some of the mis-information between our countries and cultures. I think this has never been as important as it is now.

2006-04-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

CARICATURE WORKSHOPS
Get on board NOW!
I am starting my new personal limited number workshops for the truly art inspired who want to follow me through the creative process in Caricature and Cartoon. Find out what YOU can do using this artwork.
These workshops will be held every Month starting this May. Every workshop will be different and challenging.
Extreme Portraiture
Caricature
Political Cartoon
Cartoon Skills
Dynamic Life Drawing
Editorial Illustration
Metro Arts Building
109 Edward Street Brisbane Q 4000
Bookings and details
purplespider@optusnet.com.au
0422662019 or 0738313431