Winner of Young Cartoonist Award Announced

Media Release

Embargoed until 6pm, May 9, 2013

The New Zealand Listener and NZ Cartoon Archive announce winner of Young Cartoonist Award

Leading current affairs and entertainment magazine the New Zealand Listener and the NZ Cartoon Archive today announced the winner of the inaugural Young Cartoonist Award at a celebratory drinks function at APN House in Auckland.

Cory Mathis from Wellington was declared the winner, and received $5,000. Runner-up awards, each worth $500, were made to Jeff Bell from Christchurch and Toby Morris from Auckland.

The Young Cartoonist Award, promoted by the New Zealand Listener, called for entries from budding young satirists from around the country to submit works displaying an understanding of political and social situations and their contradictions and complications, and especially showing a talent for drawing effective cartoons.

Entrants were asked to submit three cartoons on subjects of their choice that addressed issues of local, national and international importance.

Entries were judged by Listener cartoonist Chris Slane, former Dominion-Post editor and NPA CEO Tim Pankhurst, Listener editor Pamela Stirling and Ian F. Grant. Cartoons were judged on the originality and effectiveness of ideas and their clarity, understanding of topics and drawing and caricature skills.

Ian F Grant, founder of the NZ Cartoon Archive and judging convenor says, “We were agreeably surprised by the number of entries and quality of the cartoons. And I was personally impressed with the quite sophisticated approach of much of the work – an understanding of the irony in political situations and a good grasp of the realities behind the political spin.”

Pamela Stirling, editor of the New Zealand Listener, says “We’re delighted to help champion the talent of young cartoonists. Cartooning is a tough job – the fact that it doesn’t merely amuse and entertain but also at times offends those who are lampooned is precisely its value. We in the print media want to honour young cartoonists and help mentor and support them as they learn – literally –where to draw the line”.

The finalists’ winning cartoons are to be published in the May 18 issue of the Listener, on sale May 13, and featured online at listener.co.nz  from May 10.

To view a selection of entries, please visit listener.co.nz/culture/cartoons

ENDS

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