A Wall of Fame for Australian Caricaturists

Worried about the decline of caricature in the ever reducing number of Australian newspapers, a group of Australian artists met and discussed the matter. The result was the formation of a new caricaturists club: The Mug Club. Each meeting's program includes a talk about a major artist and a temporary exhibition of his work on a Wall of Fame. The club is now in it's second year and has expanded from round-table get-togethers to meetings of 50 plus in an upstairs hall of a Melbourne restaurant. Celebrity "mugs" are invited and they talk about what it's like to be on the other side of the pen. Approximately 30 different caricatures of themselves are given to the invited celebrity. Caricaturists finally get around to drawing each other and their partners.

Says President of The Mug Club, Jim Bridges: "Plans are afoot to manufacture our own mugs for members and guests and we are also trying to have an annual cash prize competition for caricature in Australia. We intend to spread Nation-wide. So far 50 Australian caricaturists are on our list. We would be interested in hearing from fellow caricaturists and collectors of caricatures from all over the globe and in obtaining examples (books) of caricatures."

Previous celebrities who attended the evenings included Victoriaís ex-Premier John Cain and top sporting personalities. Usually they are thrilled to finally meet the cartoonists who have drawn them for years. The Mug Club can be contacted through: harv@internex.net.au or by mail to Jim Bridges, 12 Lantana Ave., Hoppers Crossing, Australia 3029.