Design and Art Australia Online

cartoonist, 'born to musicians…grew up ex-Catholic in pre-world class Sydney’ (blurb 2001). He worked as copyboy on the Daily Mirror , he says, until 'sacked for disrespect’. Self-taught, he sold his first cartoon to Nation Review and travelled overseas for 3 years, during which time he had a cartoon in London Punch (c. November 1979). He returned to Australia in 1980 and worked as a postman in North Sydney until again 'sacked for disrespect’. Five years later, he was working full-time as a freelance cartoonist. His social commentary cartoons have appeared in various publications, including the Australian’s Review of Books , the Australian Cyclist , the Independent , the SMH and the Bulletin . In 2001 he was mostly working for the Fairfax press, appearing regularly in Good Weekend and the SMH (Saturday 'Spectrum’), and in the USA.

A member of the Australian Black and White Artists Club, Somerville has been included in the NMA’s annual Bringing the House Down exhibitions of original cartoons at OPH, Canberra. Refuteeshirt and Terror Australis were shown in 2001. That year his first cartoon anthology, I am Moderately Fond of Australia , was published. It has an apt cover, a terrific 'slightly postmodern’ cartoon sequence about buying the book on the back cover and good, intelligent cartoons inside.

In 2001 he was living in the Blue Mountains with his wife, Lyn, their two children and 'certain unthreatening animals’.

Writers:

Kerr, Joan

Date written:

1996

Last updated:

2007