13 May 2009

Renowned cartoonist and author set for Literary Festival

World-famous cartoonist and illustrator Gerald Scarfe is the latest big name author confirmed to appear at this year’s Dundee Literary Festival.

The award-winning Scarfe, regarded as one of the world’s greatest living caricaturists, will host the opening session at the Festival, organised by the University of Dundee.

Scarfe, who received an Honorary degree from the University in 2007, established himself as a satirical cartoonist with publications such as Punch and Private Eye in the early 1960s. He will discuss his career with the audience in Dundee at 10.30am on Thursday, June 25.

'The fact that Gerald Scarfe has agreed to come to Dundee is another feather in our cap,' said Anna Day, Festival Director. 'There really is something for everyone at this year’s event, and we are delighted to welcome Gerald Scarfe to talk about his life, his work and his extraordinary talent.'

Scarfe’s artwork has featured in many exhibitions worldwide, and he has designed the sets and costumes for plays, operas and musicals across the globe. His film work includes designing and directing the animation for Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Walt Disney’s Hercules.

He has written, directed and appeared in many live action and documentary films for the BBC and Channel 4 and has published several books of his work. The latest book, Monsters: How George Bush Saved The World & Other Tall Stories was published last November.

Scarfe’s work regularly appears in a number of newspapers and magazines, and his illustrations appeared during the opening sequences of both the Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister television shows.

The Gerald Scarfe lecture takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, and admission costs £3 for adults and £2 for concessions. Tickets are available by calling 01382 384413 or by emailing literarydundee@gmail.com.

The Dundee Literary Festival is now in its third year, and is bigger than ever, with star authors from the fields of philosophy, fiction, politics and poetry set to appear in Dundee. They include David Peace, renowned author of The Damned United and the Red-Riding Quartet and Straw Dogs writer John Gray.

Talks, book signings, workshops and other events take place across four days. The full programme for the Dundee Literary Festival is available online at www.dundeeliteraryfest.org.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk