Cartoons have a lot to say about the state of the world. As one of Ireland’s most prolific pencils in the business, Martyn Turner’s political cartoons are unavoidably challenging.
In a career spanning more than four decades, he has raised questions of justice, equality, contradiction, responsibility, hypocrisy, accountability, rights and wrongs on a weekly basis in the pages of the Irish Times.
In this episode of the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast, guest host, teacher, activist and development educator Colm Regan interviews colleague and friend Martyn Turner on the perils, dilemmas and trade-craft as a cartoonist.
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Martyn’s work has featured in education resources, books, workshop hand-outs and on PowerPoints as a part of the teacher’s go-to ‘stimulus’ materials on global justice and human rights issues as well as public campaigns on issues such as ending Apartheid in South Africa.
This the story of editorial cartooning in 1980s and beyond.
Cartoons mentioned in this episode include (with thanks to Martyn and the Irish Times):
As part of this episode, check out the rest of the Martyn Turner series:
- Check out the object pages on I Ran the World, I Ruin the World, I Ruin the World and 75:25 from the exhibition.
- Read Colm Regan’s reflection on Martyn Turner as one of the great chroniclers of modern Irish history.
- Why use political cartoons in education? 6 starter activities for teachers and educators.
- Explore 11 cartoons on Covid-19, climate change and the arms trade by Martyn Turner in recent times
- Interactive feature: What do you see? Money the G7 will spend that could save people’s lives (based on one cartoon)
Check out more episodes in the series or subscribe.
- With thanks to Martyn Turner for joining us for episode 3, which was recorded remotely under lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. For more, check out Martyn’s ‘toons on The Irish Times.
The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.
Episode three was guest host Colm Regan and produced by Dylan Creane, Tony Daly and Ciara Regan.
Music by Jump Lead
- Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid
Explore the posters, games, badges, books and more from the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition online.