One of my favourite artists — Ewan McDougall — recently showed me one of his newly completed oil-on-canvas paintings. The painting is entitled “Pretty Relaxed Akshully”. In it, a suited figure smoking a cigar reclines atop a sea of despairing faces. True to Ewan’s style, he has the courage to confront controversial political issues.
No surprises that the figure is New Zealand prime minister, John Key. The painting symbolises, in my mind, a willingness to accept a society that is becoming so unbalanced — where the success of a few is made off the back of many who struggle each day.
Art is important, particularly political satire and cartoons. They break down issues into digestible chunks that are easy to understand. The role of cartoonists is crucial when political debate generally hinges on detail. A picture, quite simply, is worth a thousand words.
I stumbled upon a cartoon recently that summed up privilege, and the role the opportunities our backgrounds afford us — what they play in determining our success. The series depicted two children growing up. One child had a warm house, access to a good education and parents who were able to cater to the child’s every need. The other did not.
You can guess which child the cartoon showed being more successful.
The artwork highlighted that growing disparities are not inevitable. Every child has potential and can succeed — if the government is willing to act to ensure opportunity for all. That is the New Zealand I believe in.