To mark the end of the Trump era and Joe Biden’s new presidency, the Sainsbury Centre has interviewed Roger Law, North Norfolk resident and one of the most important satirists of the last half century. Renowned for co-creating the recently revived hit 1980s and 1990s television series Spitting Image with Peter Fluck, Roger Law has been a seminal British artist and global cultural commentator for the last four decades. The Centre’s landmark exhibition Roger Law: From Satire to Ceramics was held in late 2017, exploring Law’s extraordinary career in political satire from early illustration work at national newspapers to Spitting Image and the TV puppetry he is best known for. The exhibition included an iconic moment for the Sainsbury Centre: the first time Roger Law’s infamous Trump puppet was featured on public display. Transforming the landscape of political satire, Spitting Image transposed the traditions of caricature and reshaped people’s views of their politicians and leaders. The brainchild of artists Peter Fluck and Roger Law – best known as Luck and Flaw – the popular show ran for twelve years between 1984 and 1996 before its much-celebrated revival in October 2020 on Britbox. The Spitting Image revival has been met with high praise, prompted by the “chaotic” state of current UK and global politics. The interview will also focus on Law’s later practice in ceramics, which was influenced by his time living and working in Sydney and Jingdezhen, China. Wondrous sea creatures and marine life are depicted through delicate vases and bowls, standing in stark contrast to the grotesque puppetry figures. Fitting then that the artist now lives on the North Norfolk coast, no doubt relishing the peace and calm of the sea. Acting Director Ghislaine Wood says: “I can’t think of a better artist for the Sainsbury Centre to interview to mark the end of Donald Trump’s term. Satire has never been more relevant than in these extraordinary and deeply disturbing times.” The interview is now available to read on the Sainsbury Centre’s website here. Visit sainsburycentre.ac.uk/stories for other fascinating stories and insights.
