Singaporean’s satirical cartoons make waves online
Cartoon by Guay Chong Kian
A series of single-panel cartoons drawn by an advertising executive that make witty observations on topical issues ranging from massage parlours to a politician’s extramarital affair has struck a chord with netizens.
Guay Chong Kian, a creative partner in an advertising agency, told Yahoo Singapore that he was taken aback by the response to a recent cartoon, which has been shared 750 times on Facebook since he posted it on 4 August. It depicts a family of cockroaches with a suitcase standing before a bin centre and exclaiming, ‘Honey, NAC built us a very expensive home’.
It is a reference to the recent Auditor-General’s Office Report, which revealed that the National Arts Council (NAC) had spent $470,000 on constructing a bin centre. NAC also paid $410,000 in consultation fees while doing so.
Asked why he thought the cartoon struck a chord, the 45-year-old Singaporean mused, “People are unhappy. The issue is still there, but I just spun it off in a slightly funnier perspective. Maybe people just found it humourous.”
Cartoon by Guay Chong Kian
While Guay initially shared the cartoons on his personal Facebook account, a desire to maintain his privacy led him to set up a page called SemiSerious. It is a reference to the documentary “Very Semi-Serious”, about the creative process of cartoonists at The New Yorker magazine.
Guay’s spare, simple style is reminiscent of renowned cartoonist Gary Larson’s The Far Side series, though Guay does not cite any major influences. More of his cartoons can be seen here.
“When I have a thought, I just doodle it. I keep it simple, as the content and what I want to say is more important,” said Guay, whose creative impulses are sparked off by news reports and his observations of people and society.
He is quick to add that he is politically neutral, and prefers to steer clear of commenting on race or religion. “It’s just my perspective. Maybe it’s a little bit more uncomfortable for people to say it in a certain way, but I can say it the way I want to say it.
Asked if he hopes to get published, Guay was non-committal. “I don’t really have expectations. If people really enjoy it, I might just compile it into a book or something.”
