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Join us for a special evening with Peter Brookes, acclaimed political cartoonist for The Times, in conversation with award-winning journalist and broadcaster Martha Kearney.
This event coincides with an exhibition at Watts Contemporary Gallery, which showcases nearly 50 original works by Peter Brookes. The exhibition highlights his satirical take on the turbulent events of the past year, capturing both national and global moments with wit, insight, and a sharp political eye. Works on display and for sale include his iconic Times cartoons, as well as pieces from his Nature Notes series.
Brookes has been The Times’ political cartoonist since 1992. After initially training as an RAF pilot, he went on to study and later teach at the Central School of Art in London. He joined The Times as an illustrator and cartoonist in 1982, becoming its full-time political cartoonist a decade later. From 1986 to 1998, he was a regular cover artist for The Spectator and has contributed to publications including the New Statesman, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and the Times Literary Supplement. Among his many accolades, Peter has been named Cartoonist of the Year at the British Press Awards eight times, most recently in 2017—the same year he was appointed CBE for services to the media.
Kearney is one of the UK’s most respected journalists, best known for her six-year role as a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme. In 2024, she stepped down from Today to launch two new roles at Radio 4: presenting her own interview series, This Natural Life, and joining the team of Open Country. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, Martha has fronted many of the BBC’s flagship political and current affairs programmes, including Newsnight, Woman’s Hour, and The World at One.
Outside the newsroom, Martha’s broadcasting has extended to nature, history, and the arts. A passionate beekeeper, she has presented a range of documentaries including Who Killed the Honey Bee?, The Wonder of Bees with Martha Kearney, and Hive Alive. She is a recipient of the Sony Radio Bronze Award and has been BAFTA-nominated for her reporting on the Northern Ireland peace process.