HONG KONG, 10 May 2021 – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) announced today the launch of ‘Add Ink: Cartoon Chronicles of Life in Hong Kong’, the latest book by the celebrated award-winning political cartoonist Harry Harrison.
Recognised for more than 20 years as one of Hong Kong’s top political cartoonists, Harrison’s 329-page book is carefully curated by SCMP’s editors from the daily editorial cartoon ‘Harry’s View’. It illustrates the most gripping events from the last five years while providing a pointed and humorous critique on the city’s many contradictions, satirising global events through a Hong Kong lens, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.
The book showcases Harrison’s satirical wit and journalistic intelligence with keen observations that give his work depth and meaning. Most importantly, his cartoons resonate on a personal level and continue to amuse and entertain readers, often providing much-needed levity and perspective on topics with a bleaker tone.
“Hongkongers always have a dark sense of humour no matter how difficult things get, and the book is a tribute to the people in the city who inspire me every day,” said Harrison. “While my cartoons are not able to make the city’s problems magically disappear, I hope they can provide some relief by encouraging us to laugh at ourselves.”
“It gives me great pleasure to present this book to our readers – many of whom have made a habit of turning to ‘Harry’s View’ first before reading the Post,” said Tammy Tam, SCMP’s Editor-in-Chief. “His cartoons have a knack for humanising complex issues and ‘Add Ink’ is an interesting way of looking back at the last five years with a lighter perspective. Much like how laughter is the best medicine, we hope the book will serve as a timely dose of good humour as we look forward to recovering from the pandemic.”
Harrison drew his first cover cartoon for the Post a week after the handover in 1997 and since 2001, his work appears every day in ‘Harry’s View’. For more than two decades, his art has been a staple that Post readers have come to admire and appreciate, with its signature wry humour that entertains, informs and educates.
‘Add Ink’ retails for HK$280 at major bookstores and distributors in Hong Kong. Readers can also order a copy directly from SCMP here.
ABOUT SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
The South China Morning Post is a leading global news company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century. Founded in 1903, SCMP is headquartered in Hong Kong, where it is the city’s newspaper of record, with a growing correspondent staff across Asia and the United States. SCMP’s vision is to “Elevate Thought” and our mission is to “Lead the global conversation about China”. Additionally, SCMP publishes a portfolio of premium lifestyle and fashion titles in Hong Kong including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR. SCMP is also home to Abacus, a digital news brand focused on China’s tech industry; Inkstone, a daily news brief for those curious about China’s growing impact around the world; and Goldthread, a content platform with a focus on food, travel and culture in China. In 2020, SCMP became the first news organisation in Asia to join the Trust Project, a consortium of top news companies developing global transparency standards for credible journalism.
For more information, please contact:
Elgen Kua
Stef Lo