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'What's So Funny?' - SA History can be Hysterical!

ANDY MASON on the past and future of the art

ND MAZIN is South Africa's pre-eminent underground cartoonist who has meticulously recorded a view of pre-liberation and post-apartheid South Africa from the fringe, embracing subcultures and counter-cultures not often observed by the mainstream. His views of South Africa's complex socio-political landscape are drawn not from the public gallery of parliament, but rather from the backline of Muizenberg's surf, which brings a fresh, accessible perspective to his commentary.
But, more importantly, ND MAZIN is the alter-ego of ANDY MASON, South Africa's pre-eminent historian of South African comic art.

Over the years Andy has gathered together the work of most of South Africa's contemporary cartoonists and published them in his 'Pre-Azania Comix (PAX)', 'Mamba Comix' and (more recently) 'The Year in Cartoons' annuals. He has also discovered and mentored many new talents in the process, while at the same time studying the greats from Cruikshank to Zapiro.

This experience, coupled with an easy flowing writing ability, has equipped Andy to write perhaps the most authoritative book on the history of South African cartooning ever published. 'What's So Funny? Under the Skin of South African Cartooning' takes the reader on a very personal journey through 125 years or so of local cartoon history, sharing anecdotes and critiques along the way.

Here, Sean O'Toole interviews Andy Mason to find out "What's So Funny?", who he rates, and where SA Cartooning is going.

ND Mazin, Self Portrait

ND MAZIN, self portrait.

 

What's So Funny? Book Cover

'WHAT'S SO FUNNY?'... South African history can be hysterical!

 

Posted on Feb 18, 2011 by Africartoons Bookmark and Share