cartoonist and illustrator, spent his childhood in New Guinea and on the north coast of NSW. After gaining an Associate Diploma in Media Studies from Mitchell College, Bathurst, he spent three years on the dole then began to earn a living as an illustrator. 'This work included drawing maps and wildlife for the Australian Geographic , drawing criminals for Channel Nine, the odd day’s work as an illustrator at the Sydney Morning Herald and the occasional children’s book.’ The last includes Edward the Emu (with Sheena Knowles), Snail Mail (with Hazel Edwards), Counting on Frank , Just Another Ordinary Day , Edwina the Emu (with Sheena Knowles) and Grandad’s Teeth .
“He took over as the caricaturist at the Australian Financial Review after the previous incumbent overdosed on balding bankers and big-nosed execs. Clement then proceeded to overdose himself a couple of years after that, and by the time he had recovered another caricaturist had been installed. Then, in what was for him a fortunate twist, the AFR’s cartoonist went AWOL, and while the editors searched desperately for a worthy replacement, Clement filled in. He has been filling in ever since.”
When he wrote this preface 'About the Author’ for The Economic Rationalist’s Guide to Sex (Harper Collins: Pymble, 1997), Clement was aged 36 and the father of three girls. He signs his work 'Clement’. In 2001 he was still 'a pocket cartoonist’ for the Australian Financial Review . In 2002 he also filled in as SMH political cartoonist while Moir was away.
Cartoons in The Economic Rationalist’s Guide to Sex, all previously published in AFR or SMH , include one of a tattoo shop with 2 men, “I want something that sets me apart from the common herd, something that expresses the uniqueness and wildness of my personality.”/ “I only do tigers…”/ “Oh… That’ll do.” (n.p.), and small girl to shop assistant on 'Happy Mothers’ Day’ counter (back of book): “I want to get something for my mother that expresses my growing sense of alientation and resentment”.
Clement exhibited 'Pauline’s Instrument’ and 'Dumb Redhead’ (both on Pauline Hanson), published in the Australian Financial Review on 10 April and 12 June 1997, in the National Museum of Australia/ Old Parliament House exhibition Bringing the House Down: 12 Months of Australian Political Humour (Canberra, 1997), cats 54, 55. He won the 1998 Walkley Award for best illustration for his cartoon 'Scab’ (original included in NMA 'Bringing the House Down’ exhibition, 1998). He also exhibited cartoons in the NMA’s 1999-2001 Bringing the House Down annual exhibitions.
- Writers:
- Kerr, Joan
- Date written:
- 1996
- Last updated:
- 2007
