Political satire within the age of social media
CR speaks to a cartoonist, illustrator, and collage-based satirist to find out how representations of political figures, especially Boris Johnson, and the impact of social media on political satire can change
"I remember the first picture I drew of him, ”says London-based illustrator Ellie Foreman-Peck when she first portrayed Boris Johnson. “In 2013 I got a call from The Independent newspaper asking if I could draw Boris in a few hours. This was one of the first assignments I received with a very tight deadline. The illustrator created an image for a play called The Flawed Mayor of London that explored the stories of his "dismal reputation" and the rumors of his "often questionable" behavior. "I was quick to make him look embarrassed and a little guilty," recalls Foreman-Peck.
Since then, the illustrator, whose style is a mix of line work and collage, has depicted Boris Johnson countless times, especially since he became Prime Minister, and usually focuses on key features like his hair. “I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when he got his hair cut because one of his main recognizable traits was a bit watered down. But I think it's growing pretty well now from what I see, ”she says.
Brexit negotiations by Ellie Foreman-Peck
For Ben Jennings, whose work differs from Foreman-Peck's in that he creates stand-alone cartoons as opposed to those that illustrate a written piece, he says he has simplified his portrayals of Johnson over time. "This usually happens as you start drawing more often and examine its mannerisms more closely and gradually figure out what works and what doesn't, ”says Jennings. “This continued rendering helps the caricature develop the person you are drawing, as the satirical capture of a public figure's resemblance is not just about their facial features, but also their character, politics and the image you are projecting into World. "