The son of a controversial Australian cartoonist once deemed a ‘national treasure’ has taken aim at the government for failing to acknowledge his death.
Melbourne born artist Michael Leunig, 79, passed on December 19. He was known across Australia for his political, whimsical and colourful cartoons depicting Aussie life for more than 50 years.
His son, musician Sunny Leunig, on Tuesday took aim at the Victorian government for failing to give the artist a state funeral in an opinion piece through the very publication which fired his father for being too controversial just months earlier – The Age.
While Sunny admitted his father ‘had blind spots’ – including allegations of sexual abuse and misogyny – which saw him lose fans, he said his father’s passing shouldn’t be ‘ignored’.
‘The state government, in its solemn deliberation, has turned away from the notion of a state funeral for my father, Michael Leunig,’ Sunny wrote.
‘They have been unwilling to honour or simply acknowledge a soul whose creative vision etched itself deeply into the heart of Melbourne and beyond.’
Sunny insisted his father wouldn’t have cared for a state funeral but believed he should be given some honour nevertheless.
‘In truth, we weren’t particularly interested in the idea of a state funeral, and Michael himself probably wouldn’t have cared,’ he wrote.
Melbourne-born artist Michael Leunig (pictured) passed on December 19 but will not be given a state funeral
Micahel was known across Australia for his political, whimsical and colourful cartoons depicting Aussie life for more than 50 years
‘I often heard his scepticism about the legitimacy of such events.
‘But we were surprised by the lack of public recognition of Michael’s death on the government’s part.’
Sunny was not the only family member to speak out following Michael’s passing.
The cartoonist’s sister, Mary Leunig, shared a scathing post just days after his death to celebrate the end of his life.
‘I’ve been wishing him dead for some time now,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Mary said she was rejoicing over his death ‘only because of his contact with my kids. Michael’s fame … Michael was always on view, always acting, bathing in his celebrity.
‘So, sexual abuse and wife bashing aside, what do I feel about his death?
‘It’s a relief, a time to celebrate what’s left of my family… and all the animals and birds and people and nature and all.’
Michael’s son, Sunny (pictured), argued the government owed the artist a proper memorial, despite facing controversy in recent years
The cartoonist’s sister, Mary Leunig, shared a scathing post just days after his death to celebrate the end of his life
She also reproduced one of her cartoons entitled ‘I finally get the recognition I deserve by shooting my brother in the bum’.
Sunny conceded that his father had ‘become a controversial figure’ in recent years.
‘He was pro-Palestine, accused of hating mothers, critical of government-mandated vaccines and Covid lockdowns, and once drew an esoteric yet questionable marriage equality cartoon,’ he wrote.
‘…Towards the end of his life, Michael certainly strayed from the progressive hymn sheet that many follow.
‘He became persona non grata to a large portion of the media class, ultimately embodying the symbol of the old male Boomer – a moniker a few rungs lower than a serial killer these days.’
Despite the negative reaction to some of his works, Sunny insisted his father should be properly memorialised.
‘For more than 55 years, Michael’s cartoons, poems and words appeared regularly in newspapers, magazines, on television, in church services and, of course, lived on the front of many fridges in households across Australia,’ he said.
‘He was declared a national living treasure in 1999 and his work was a feature of the opening ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
‘…I could go on, but my point is this: his work has been part of Australian culture long before today’s state ministers were out of nappies.
‘The lasting impact of his art has transcended politics, class and religion for decades. His work meant a great deal to a great many people. It seems appropriate that his contribution to Australian culture be recognised.’
A public memorial for Michael Leunig will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral in the Melbourne CBD this Thursday at 2pm.
