The Waikato Times cartoonist and me.

I'm a graphic designer.

I like artwork to be aesthetically pleasing, well crafted and where possible, display artistic talent. I like orderliness but also enjoy highly abstract works of art. As long as there’s passion you might say.

Now have a look at this;

This is a cartoon from the Waikato Times, the local rag that is put out six days a week covering the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand (a small country to the east of Australia).

The Waikato Times has a venerable history. It was first published in 1872 and has offices in the region's largest city, Hamilton. It has a circulation of 41,000 copies and there is essentially no other local paper of size in the area to oppose it. So it can ask for suggestions, which it does, and then add your missive to the vast collection it keeps stored at the bottom of the local landfill (for safekeeping).

The panel above is from a local cartoonist who goes by the name of ‘Hawkey’. His works appear in the paper something like five or four days out of seven, so he’s the paper’s chief cartoonist.

Here's another quality Hawkey cartoon;

I don't know what to make of this. This is what passes for biting satirical content and cartoon artistry in our main newspaper five days a week. I'm ashamed.

Here's another;

Leaving aside the flat perspective, the monotonous use of colour, the sheer awfulness of the characters - what is up with that car? Really? What is that? Do I detect doors that open up from the middle? No. Or is it a ‘coupe’ as only the front seats appear to have doors? Actually, I know what it is. It's a Morris Minor. Have another look. It's a ‘morry’, a car that was popular in the 1950's and 60’s, seen here oddly twisted by some dim recognition that cars have since become more aerodynamic, but a recognition unable to be properly expressed nonetheless.

Here’s another example of the artist’s inability to deal with modern technology.

F*ck me, look at that.

Here’s another (in a more general vein)

Don’t worry about the joke – it isn’t funny.

Again, there’s the flat perspective adding to the dreariness of the scene and the unappealing style of the characters. But my main complaint here is that I don’t recognize this as a Waikato scene. Maybe I don’t get out enough, but are these Waikato people? Do we really have publicans who wear bowties while pulling pints for the ‘locals’? Or has the above more in common with the cartoon below?

If you're living in the Waikato, have a closer look at Hawkey's cartoons when they appear. Really, is this the best the Waikato Times can do?

And finally;

Yes - they actually published this .

Leaving Hawkey’s artistic shortcomings aside, Waikato people simply don't look like this. We don't put on greatcoats when we go out (except for the odd student who frequents op-shops). Our womenfolk don’t generally wear aprons when they venture out to the postbox because they’ve spent all day baking! Our petrol pumps no longer have the nozzle attached to the top of the pump. A great number of us don’t wear ties at work anymore and a bowtie wearer is a distinct oddity. Our cars are not shaped like boxes (unless it’s a designer statement) and we have a large number of brown/olive people living here as well. In short, we’re not bloody English and it’s not the 1950’s anymore!

A suggestion?

Cut back Hawkey’s contributions to once a week – give him more time to work on his creations. And hire some new blood for god’s sake. In short, get cartoonists who can both reflect our local character and culture better and can draw well (and not Geoff bloody Taylor)!