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Michael Leunig

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Event Status

Michael Leunig is a national treasure – one of those rare Australians we recognise by one name only.

Leunig is best loved as our wizard of whimsy, creator of quirky characters like Mr Curly, the duck and Vasco Pyjama. Asked how those creations were born, he says, ‘I felt maybe society lacked … some enchanting quality, little mysteries and little poetic elements’.

But he’s no stranger to controversy, either, standing by his provocative cartoons on infant childcare and Israel, and receiving hate mail in response to his strong stance against the Iraq war. Above all, Leunig is the cartoonist who has consistently chronicled contemporary Australian life as he sees it – applying liberal doses of mystery, joy and provocation.

In a special publishing event, he has selected 400 of his favourite cartoons, spanning his start in 1965 to the present day. This beautiful hardback, with author’s introduction, is a true collector’s edition. This evening will be a rare opportunity to watch one of our most beloved artists draw live – and to join him in looking back on his brilliant career.

Tweeting at this event? Use #Leunig.

Price includes admission to the event, your own copy of The Essential Leunig (RRP $50) and the opportunity to have it signed by Leunig.

Presented in partnership with Readings.

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Featuring

Michael Leunig

Michael Leunig has been drawing and writing for Australian newspapers since 1965. He was born in Melbourne and now lives on a farm in north-eastern Victoria. His work has been widely published overseas and has been adapted in Australia for television, theatre and radio. Leunig’s many books include... Read more

Location

The Capitol

113 Swanston Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

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The Wheeler Centre acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Centre stands. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Elders, past and present, as the custodians of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.