Building Creative Confidence

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When people ask me about Aussie slang, I tell them it’s basically our national cartoon strip – colourful, cheeky, and usually a bit bent out of shape. And as a cartoonist from Sydney, I can say that with some authority. I’ve spent decades sketching characters on paper, but our slang does the same job with words.

It all kicked off back in the convict days. Imagine the First Fleet: London pickpockets, Irish rebels, Scottish rogues, all crammed together under the blazing Aussie sun. They didn’t exactly sit around saying, “How do you do, old chap?” No – they mashed up their dialects, threw in a bit of rhyming slang, and came up with a rough, rebellious language of their own. Basically, the world’s first Aussie slang jam session.

Then we Aussies did something we’ve never stopped doing – we shortened everything. Politicians became “pollies,” breakfast became “brekkie,” and sunglasses? Well, they were “sunnies,” naturally. Why waste breath on full words when you can cut them in half and still be understood? It’s efficient. It’s lazy. It’s very, very Australian.

Of course, life in the bush added its own flavour. Shearers, drovers and swagmen were great at dreaming up sayings. “Flat out like a lizard drinking.” “Mad as a cut snake.” “Not here to f*** spiders.” Colourful, absurd, and weirdly accurate. It’s like bush poetry – but written by blokes with sunstroke.

And we can’t forget the contribution of Indigenous languages. Words like “kangaroo,” “boomerang,” and “cooee” slipped into everyday use. Without them, Australian English would be a lot duller – and let’s be honest, far harder to explain to tourists.

When I was a kid in Sydney in the 70s and 80s, slang was our social password. If you said “fair dinkum,” you were in. If you didn’t, you were probably from somewhere else – like England. Or worse, Melbourne.

The thing I love about Aussie slang is that it refuses to take itself seriously. It’s a way of knocking tall poppies down, of making life a bit funnier and a bit lighter. That’s what we do – whether with a pen, a cartoon, or a smart remark.

So next time someone calls you a “mate,” offers you a “coldie,” or says they’re “knackered,” remember – you’re not just hearing words. You’re hearing history. Convicts, bush poets, Indigenous voices, suburban jokers – all sketching Australia in their own way. And just like a cartoon, Aussie slang gets to the truth with a wink and a laugh.

Greek art has a history that stretches back thousands of years and has influenced the way people create and think about art all over the world.

In ancient Greece, artists aimed to show beauty, balance, and movement. Sculptors like Phidias, Praxiteles, and Polykleitos carved lifelike statues of gods, athletes, and heroes. Their work, such as the statues of the Parthenon, showed ideal human forms and inspired artists for centuries. Greek pottery also told stories of myths, battles, and daily life, while architecture, like the Parthenon, set the standard for harmony and proportion.

During the Hellenistic period, Greek art became more realistic and emotional. Sculptures showed drama and expression, such as the famous Laocoön and His Sons. This style later influenced Roman art and, much later, the Renaissance.

In the Byzantine era, when Christianity became central, Greek art changed focus. Artists created icons, mosaics, and church paintings filled with gold and light to express faith and spirituality. These works shaped Eastern Orthodox art traditions that are still seen today.

By the 19th century, as Greece fought for independence, art took on a patriotic role. Painters like Theodoros Vryzakis painted historical scenes that celebrated Greek identity.

In the 20th century, Greek artists blended tradition with modern styles. Yannis Tsarouchis painted everyday Greek life, Yannis Moralis explored abstract forms, and Alekos Fassianos created colourful scenes filled with Greek symbols. Internationally, artists like Takis, known for kinetic sculptures, and Jannis Kounellis, a leader in the Arte Povera movement, made their mark on the global stage.

Today, Greek art continues to connect the past and the present, drawing on its rich history while also speaking to modern life and ideas.

European art has developed over thousands of years, reflecting the values, beliefs, and changes of society.

It began in prehistoric times, with cave paintings and carvings that showed animals, hunting, and early symbols.

In the ancient world, Greek and Roman art focused on balance, proportion, and realism, setting standards that influenced Europe for centuries.

During the Middle Ages, art was shaped by Christianity. Gothic cathedrals, stained glass, and illuminated manuscripts filled churches with colour and symbolism.

The Renaissance (14th–16th century) marked a rebirth of classical ideals. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used perspective, anatomy, and naturalism to explore human potential and beauty.

The Baroque and Rococo eras (17th–18th century) added drama, movement, and decoration, seen in the works of Caravaggio, Rubens, and Fragonard.

In the 19th century, Romanticism celebrated emotion, Realism focused on everyday life, and Impressionism—led by Monet and Renoir—captured light and atmosphere in new ways.

The 20th century brought radical change. Movements like Cubism (Picasso), Surrealism (Dalí), and Abstract art (Kandinsky) broke away from tradition, reflecting a rapidly changing world.

Today, European art is diverse and global. From traditional galleries to digital installations, it continues to influence modern society—challenging ideas, celebrating culture, and connecting people across borders.

This presentation explores the rich history of European cartooning, highlighting the artists who shaped the medium from its early roots to the modern day.

We begin with the political caricaturists of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as James Gillray and Honoré Daumier, who used humour and satire to comment on society and politics. Their bold drawings laid the foundation for cartoons as both entertainment and social critique.

Moving into the 20th century, we see the rise of comic art. Belgian artist Hergé, creator of The Adventures of Tintin, established the “ligne claire” (clear line) style, combining clean drawing with strong storytelling. His work influenced generations of comic artists worldwide.

Alongside Hergé, European cartooning flourished with figures like Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny, creators of Asterix, and André Franquin, known for Spirou & Fantasio and Gaston Lagaffe. These artists shaped Franco-Belgian comics, a tradition that remains hugely popular.

The presentation also touches on modern innovators, from satirical cartoonists in newspapers and magazines to contemporary graphic novelists such as Art Spiegelman (though American, strongly linked to European traditions) and Marjane Satrapi, whose Persepolis brought personal history into the comic form.

By tracing this history, we see how European cartoonists have influenced global culture—using humour, wit, and art to reflect the times and connect with audiences across generations.

Mediterranean and Aegean art represents some of the earliest and most influential traditions in European culture. Beginning with the Cycladic civilisation, artists created elegant marble figurines with abstract forms that still inspire modern design. The Minoans of Crete added colour and movement through their lively frescoes, such as bull-leaping scenes, and refined pottery styles. Meanwhile, the Mycenaeans produced powerful works like the gold “Mask of Agamemnon,” alongside fortified architecture that reflected their warrior society.

These cultures laid the foundation for classical Greek art, with its focus on harmony, proportion, and the ideal human form. The Mediterranean also served as a crossroads, where ideas and motifs from Egypt, Phoenicia, and the Near East influenced local traditions.

The legacy of Aegean and Mediterranean art lives on in Greek and Roman culture, shaping the development of Western art and continuing to captivate historians, archaeologists, and artists today.

Icelandic art reflects the island’s unique landscape, history, and culture. In ancient times, art was closely tied to the Vikings and Norse traditions. Carvings on wood, runestones, and decorated objects such as weapons and jewellery combined practical craft with storytelling, often inspired by mythology. The sagas, though literary, also inspired artistic expression through illuminated manuscripts and symbolic designs.

During the medieval period, church art, such as carved altar pieces and religious woodwork, became central. These works blended local traditions with European Christian styles brought by trade and travel.

In the 19th century, with Iceland’s growing national identity, art turned toward the dramatic natural environment. Painters like Þórarinn B. Þorláksson and Ásgrímur Jónsson captured mountains, glaciers, and coastlines, linking nature to cultural pride.

The 20th century saw Icelandic artists experiment with modernism. Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval became one of the nation’s most beloved painters, combining landscapes with folklore and abstraction. Others explored new forms such as sculpture, printmaking, and textiles.

In contemporary society, Icelandic art is known for its innovation and global reach. Artists like Erró, a pioneer of pop art, and contemporary creators working in installation, photography, and digital media reflect both Iceland’s traditions and its modern voice.

From Viking carvings to cutting-edge installations, Icelandic art has always drawn strength from its land, myths, and people, evolving into a vibrant part of global culture.