He can turn his hand to the poignant, funny, and heartbreaking. His subjects range from his dad's dementia to refugees risking their lives crossing seas in small boats.
Now in recognition of his stellar career as a cartoonist an exhibtion of Tony Husband's work is to be shown in Manchester. Based at his studio in Gee Cross, Hyde, he has contributed to national newspapers and magazines, winning major accoldades.
A show, at The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre in Chorlton, will feature his cartoons which appeared in the satirical magazine, Private Eye, which has published his work for nearly four decades.
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Tony is known for his ability to capture the absurdities and ironies of everyday life with his distinctive style. Characterised by their wit, warmth, and whimsy, Tony's cartoons can make you smile, laugh out loud, or reduce you to tears.
"It's hard to explain where they come from, it just pings into my head, said Tony. His work has been in every edition of Private Eye for 38 years, including his series "The Yobs" which was commissioned by the magazine's editor, Ian Hislop. Tony's inspiration for the series was being beaten up by a gang of skinheads, in the days when he was "a long haired hippie".
He believes that in current society cartoonists are needed more than ever, with their gift for a gag, and ability to capture starkly the corruption and cruelty of the world. One cartoon came from him being moved by the migrant channel crossings. He said he imagined one of his granddaughter's on a raft in the middle of the Channel as a storm was brewing saying "Are we there yet". Tony said: "When I drew it I cried. We can't keep watching children being drowned."
Tony's collection of iconic cartoons from Private Eye, for which he has been a regular contributor since 1985, will be on display in the foyer from of The Edge from May 26th to August 19th, with a opening night event taking place on May 25th from 6.30pm to 9pm. All of Tony's cartoons will be for sale, and there will also be an opportunity to buy some of his books on the night.
The launch event will be part of the Chorlton Arts Festival that takes place across South Manchester each year. Tony said: "I'm so proud to have been part of the Private Eye family for the last 38 years and thrilled that The Edge will be exhibiting a collection of cartoons from the magazine.
"The Edge is such a lovely venue and run by a wonderful team. I had a great time performing there in 2021 with my friend the poet Ian McMillan for our show A Cartoon History of Here, so it's great to be back again."
Tony was born in 1950 in Blackpool, and began his career as a cartoonist in the 1970s, drawing for a variety of publications including Private Eye and Punch.
His cartoons have been published in numerous books and magazines, and he has won several awards for his work, including the Cartoonist of the Year award in 1994 and 1997. He has also been a regular contributor to The Spectator, The Times, and The Guardian.
Tony was co-founder of the British comic, Oink, which ran from 1986 to 1990. He also made a name for himself in the world of children's television, serving as a writer and animator on the popular 1990s show, Round the Bend.
Tony has also written several books, including a memoir entitled "Take Care, Son: The Story of My Dad and His Dementia". It was published in 2014 and chronicles Tony's experience caring for his father, who was diagnosed with dementia. It was praised for its honesty and sensitivity.
The Manchester Evening News reported on the launch of the book about Tony's dad, Ron Husband, at the time. Tony explained how forgetfulness was the first sign that Ron ‘wasn’t the same’. Eventually after six years of slow decline his family would lose him.
Tony, told the story of how his father’s memory ‘of everything and everyone he cherished’ would be wiped away by dementia. The 50 illustrations in the book will resonate with thousands of families. They show how Ron started to forget things, but his memory of his childhood and wartime experiences remained crystal clear.
Ron, who lived in Hyde eventually had to go into a care home. The title of the book stems from a final visit Tony made to Ron in Hatton Grange care home Tony worked for a few hours as his dad slept in his room. As Tony left and said goodbye, his dad replied: “Take Care Son” spoken ‘as clear as a bell’. They were the last words he said to Tony.
Tony recalled: "My dad passed away at 3am at the care home and when he did a blackbird was singing outside."
The Edge has undergone major refurbishments to its 19th Century building, a former Red Cross Hospital based right in the heart of Chorlton. It was launched in 2011 with actors Julie Hesmondhalgh and Sir Mark Rylance as patrons. and more recently, John Thomson. It works with people who are homeless, vulnerable adults and young people to help transform their lives.
