I chose the below podcast from the National Library of Australia website.
It is entitled, "In Conversation: Holy Fool by Michael Leunig"
Michael Leunig is one of our greatest and best loved political cartoonists/satirists.
He speaks here to ABC journalist Louise Maher, in front of a live audience at the National Library, regarding his new book, "Holy Fool: Artworks", which is a collection of 240 of his artworks.
The podcast was originally published on the 18th November, 2013.
It is in mp3 audio format and runs for 44.14 minutes.
I love Michael's work so this was an easy choice for me to make.
Michael speaks initially of how he was convinced to do the book, as it is far removed from his usual style and format.
He decided to produce an "artbook" as he was "sick of the artworld's preciousness and exclusivity".
He found much of it "toxic and alienating". He wanted to show and remind people of the sheer
"joy of painting", and reassure them that "it's okay to play".
He speaks of his disappointment in the artworld's rigidity, and the tedium it provokes in him.
"Holy Fool" was produced as a reaction to this. A "holy fool" to Michael, is a person like St Francis, who talked to animals, but he stressed that holy did not necessarily translate to being religious in any traditional sense.
He wanted to emphasize the eccentric nature in humanity, the innocent, vulnerable and childlike quality present in all people, and their sincerity, which is so often repressed by the need for conformity within society.
These are the innate traits of the "holy fool" to Michael, and something which we need to
reacquaint ourselves with, and to nurture within ourselves as it is still there within all of us,
but generally hidden away and stifled.
It was a fascinating interview and left everyone wanting more!
I really enjoyed reading this summary of the interview with Michael Leunig. I particularly like the bit about the 'eccentric nature of humanity, the innocent, vulnerable and childlike quality present in all people'. Reading Leunig's cartoons has often caused me to reflect on these things. Great post on a very interesting person. Thanks! Linda.
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