Character and Caricature

Public figures cannot always be expected to like or appreciate or admire caricatures of themselves. The witty satire and biting criticism inherent in any caricature are not always appreciated by their subjects. However, the research involved creating this exhibition   ̶ historical, archival, social and artistic - uncovered another particularly interesting element that characterizes the field of caricature. Besides the critical-political element of caricatures, we discovered that they also carry considerable socio-historical weight of collective memory and shared nostalgia: a national consciousness that reflects the nature of the nation with a wink and sharp humour, and that has the power to testify to very fundamental truths in the character of our nation.