Viz creator to get young people creating credit-crunch cartoons

Jun 2 2009 by Laura Caroe, The Journal

CARTOONS are being used to bring shop windows to life in a bid to brighten up the credit-crunch-hit high street.

Viz magazine co-creator Simon Donald and writer Lee Mattinson, a Journal Culture award finalist, will be helping young people to express themselves through cartoons, which will be shown in streets across the North East.

Comic strips will dress the windows of disused stores and the foyers of businesses in a bid to reawaken streets.

Simon, who lives in Jesmond, Newcastle, said the CRUNCH! project would create a more lively and positive feeling in town centres. The 44-year-old said: “The idea of bringing colour back into the town by putting art into empty shops is great.

“There will be a wide range of people who will help us both create humorous pieces of art on economic issues. It is about making the most of ideas in times of financial struggle.

“The illustrations will then be putting something positive into shop windows and businesses that are disused because of the credit crunch.

“I’m sure it will create a more lively atmosphere within the town centre and will suit people that don’t like going to art galleries.” Around 200 people will take part in the workshops to create comic strips on how enterprising Geordies can be without flashing the cash.

Louise Forshaw is one of the young people taking part. The 21-year-old, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, said: “As a reader of the Viz magazine I am very excited about getting involved in the project.

“I am extremely passionate about illustration and this project will give me an opportunity to develop my skills even further.”