Political Cartoons
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1/24 Banky Hanky Panky
Pen on newspaper - June 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
2/24 Homs - Stop the Killing
Pen on newspaper - March 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
3/24 World News - Power Seekers
Pen on newspaper - March 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
4/24 The Dark Side of Facebook
Pen on newspaper - March 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
5/24 Moral Judgements
Pen on newspaper - February 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
6/24 Mad MoD Games
Pen on newspaper - February 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
7/24 Top Earners - Nervous Toys
Pen on newspaper - February 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
8/24 Syria Mothers
Pen on newspaper - February 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
9/24 The Baleout Bite
Pen on newspaper - February 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
10/24 Whitney Houston
Pen on newspaper - February 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
11/24 Buy Now Pay Later
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
12/24 Save Your Tears
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
13/24 It's a Ram
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
14/24 Good Luck Egypt
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
15/24 Zero %
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
16/24 Battle for Defence
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
17/24 The Hacker
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
18/24 Pax Concordia
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
19/24 Cold Turkey
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
20/24 Midnight
Pen on newspaper - January 2012. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
21/24 Watch Out For Broken Glass
Pen on newspaper - December 2011. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
22/24 Vaclav Havel - Still Following You
Pen on newspaper - December 2011. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
23/24 The Bonery
Pen on newspaper - December 2011. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
24/24 The Finishing Line
Pen on newspaper - December 2011. 23" x 29" Ronald Rae's cartoons comprise surreal images and poetical comments that happen spontaneously in reaction to the graphics or text on the printed page.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I spent so long looking at these last night, that I forgot to comment before having to leave! These cartoons are amazing, there is so much to them, so much of the feel of today’s political climate, and yet Rae’s lines are fluid and economical. There are so many little nuances to take in!
Rae’s cartoon work is as stunning and effective as his wonderful carvings.
As an artist and sensitive to the politics of the day and how it affects society as a whole, especially the disasters of war, this is Rae’s response to it all, although he is sadly aware that it won’t change anything. When Rae made these drawings he looked at each page and started with a line and then let it happen, his subconscious taking over, the result often surprising himself. Rae has made over 100 of these cartoons. I will be adding more to the web site for you to ponder. Thank you for your kind comments.
These cartoons are not a milk feed, they need knowledge and concentration to reveal their secrets. They draw comparison with a Calvino short story – opaque surface and savage undercurrent. The incorporation of diverse stories and adverts within one cartoon invites us to reflect on the inter-connectedness of politics, commerce and repression.
Thank you Robert, for your erudite comments. You are very perceptive in realising the depth and diversity of these cartoons which do need time to absorb and digest as their meanings unfold. Thank you also for your compliment comparing these cartoons to the writings of Italo Calvino, always a worthwhile read. My favourite is Cosmicomics.
Yes the sculptor’s mind is tuned into the unjustices brought down on the people by an
ambitious and self serving seam of individuals. Artists have always spoken out and found ways
to bring to light issues which have been missed by an over burdened/tired population.
Once again I was caught and simply could not stop looking and pondering! These cartoons do cut right to the heart of the news and show it to us at a gut-feeling level; there is an overall reaction when the image appears then, as the eye moves around the page and takes in the details, a cascade of thoughts and feelings arise. These have to be the most thought-provoking political cartoons I have ever seen, thank you so much for sharing them.
Thank you Carolyn. You are once again very observant. These cartoons take time to digest as they have many metaphors. Glad to know they are communicating.
Hey I like this, UNCOMFORTABLE imagery…..but heightens the point etc.
Being uncomfortable,hopefully it makes people stop and think.
I wonder how much the right hand page lends itself (financial) to the left hand page.
Deep down did the cat get the mouse and how much has money been the root of middle eastern issues.
Will the cat get the mouse.
The whole world is waiting to see.
As always, Ronald Rae cuts right to the heart of the matter — but even more, because we have so much to think about surrounding the issues. What an artist, this man never ever lets us down. Thank you, Pauline, for letting me know about the update.
Thank you Carolyn. He will be glad you know that his cartoons communicate to you.
Uncomfortable imagery but thought-provoking, as ever.
Thank you Gail. Yes, life at the moment is uncomfortable for a lot of people and Ronald Rae’s cartoons reflect this. As an artist he stands outside and can look in and see things clearer.
These bitingly satirical cartoons create brutally frightening images in my mind . I am not always certain that I relish this reaction. Nor am I sure that I always understand them.
Nevertheless, the shock element forces one to stop and think and, to a certain extent,question one’s own thoughts on certain aspects of current affairs.
Ian Hughes Smith.
October 11 2011,
Thank you Ian. I can understand your reaction. These cartoons are disturbing as are the subjects they cover. I agree some are not easy to understand – it takes time to find the different levels of meaning. Ronald Rae’s sculptures and poems are full of hope but I am afraid his cartoons lean to the darker side of life and his compassion for the world.
Oh dear, This is a frightening image, redolent of the atmosphere of a nightmare. And the trouble is that as a universe we are pushing ourselves further and further into a world of nightmares. This latest political cartoon requires a great deal of studying before we mine a fraction on what Ronnie is aiming to achieve.
Pauline in your response you write about hope. I am not certain that there is a great deal of hope in this message,
I certainly should not like to go to sleep on this one.
Ian. .