GERALD SCARFE: STAGE AND SCREEN
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Until Mon 9 Mar
Renowned for his political cartoons, Gerald Scarfe’s career first took off when he started drawing for Punch in the 1960s, before beginning his 50-year-long career as the Sunday Times’ political cartoonist in 1967. In 2008, Scarfe was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and is an Honorary Professor of the University of Dundee and an Honorary Fellow of the London Institute.
Perhaps a less well known aspect of Scarfe’s career is his contribution to the performing arts. This touring exhibition from the House Of Illustration features over 100 works, demonstrating the diversity of Scarfe’s talent, with pieces ranging from preliminary sketches to storyboards, set designs, photographs, and even costumes. Alongside designing ballets, operas and plays for companies including the English National Opera, Los Angeles Opera and English National Ballet, Scarfe’s repertoire includes work for film and TV.
This exhibition includes his work for the feature film Hercules, as the only ever external production designer for Disney, as well as character and animation designs for Pink Floyd’s 1982 film adaptation of The Wall. His artwork for Pink Floyd arguably served to establish The Wall as an iconic piece of pop culture. When speaking about his artwork, Scarfe says, “I always want to bring my creations to life – to bring them off the page and give them flesh and blood, movement and drama.”
Admission: £8.25. Info: 01970 623232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk (EH)