Fawcett In 3D
The PC Archives and Special Collections is pleased to announce a new installation by our very own graduate assistant and PC ’24 Studio Arts graduate, Liam Back. This exhibit features three-dimensional creative works based on selections from the John Fawcett Political Cartoon Collection, on display now in the Fogarty Reading Room, located on the second floor of the Phillips Memorial Library.
Artist Statement
This exhibition explores the work of John Fawcett, a political cartoonist active from the 1960s to the 1970s. Working for the Providence Journal for the majority of his career, he was an esteemed graduate of RISD. His art captured a wide range of issues, from local news to significant national and international events involving the United States and the United Nations. Fawcett addressed topics such as the Vietnam War, arms control, crises in the Middle East, and developments in Cuba. Domestically, he tackled Congressional ethics, energy policies, and urban life, while also engaging with local concerns like highway safety, ecology, and consumer protection.
In this exhibition, I aim to honor Fawcett’s political identity by using his drawing techniques to modernize the political discourse for today’s issues. As Fawcett himself noted, “I prefer to get some reaction—good or bad,” reflecting his understanding that political art often provokes strong emotions. He recalled that many times during his career, politicians would angrily denounce his latest effort, only to later call him asking for the cartoon.
“I like what I’m doing,” Fawcett said. “I enjoy it, but I’m not that impressed with my work. But 100 years from now, it’ll be interesting to look at.” All the new drawings incorporate Fawcett’s design elements while reflecting contemporary challenges and perspectives.
Liam Back ’24
About John Fawcett, Political Cartoonist
John J. Fawcett (1909-1992) earned international acclaim as a cartoonist during his 37-year career with the Providence Journal. In 1938, Fawcett was hired by the Journal as a letterer. Over the years he served as an illustrator, sports cartoonist, and finally, starting in 1960, as the paper’s editorial cartoonist. For his work, Fawcett received four National Brotherhood Awards from the National Conference of Christians and Jews from 1962 to 1969.
The collection consists of 3,000 original pen and ink drawings and copies of editorial cartoons created by Fawcett for the Providence Journal from 1962 until his retirement in 1975. The cartoons in this collection cover social and political themes spanning local, national, and international issues. To learn more about this extensive collection, explore the collection’s finding aid: https://www.riamco.org/render?eadid=US-RPPC-fawcett&view=inventory
The Fogarty Reading Room is open for drop-in hours Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm and 2-5pm (unless noted) and by appointment.
For questions about the Providence College Archives and Special Collections, our exhibits, or to make an appointment, contact us at pcarchives@providence.edu or 401-865-2578.
