Toby Morris is an Auckland-based illustrator, cartoonist and comic artist. You might know him from The Pencilsword and his drawings (with Toby Manhire’s words) for RNZ’s That is the Question.
Toby Morris. Image supplied.
What are you looking forward to doing in Christchurch?
It’s been a while! I used to come to Christchurch when I was touring in a band, and by that point in the tour everything was always a bit hectic and exhausting. I’m looking forward to being in Christchurch without being stressed and tired! The programme looks great, I’ll probably check out a few talks and park myself up with a sketchbook somewhere to do some drawing – seems like there are lots of beautiful spots of park up.
What do you think about libraries?
I love libraries, one of my favourite places. So many of my favourite memories have happened in libraries – whether it’s finding something mind blowing in a strange book that called out from a shelf, or finding a new favourite band in a CD with a curious cover, or even just flirting with girls on the top floor of Wellington Central when I’m supposed to be studying for exams. I love writing and drawing in libraries. Now that I’ve got kids I’m reminded of the power of libraries all over again – such amazing safe spaces to lose yourself.
What would be your “desert island book”?
My go-to comfort read is Tintin in Tibet. It’s such a simple story that I find it kind of pure and clean, it’s quite perfect. All the white space of the swirling snow is quite calming.
Kiwis have a love of tinkering or sprucing up their cars, myself included, but I am a complete amateur. Here are some gems you can get through the library:
Original file name: BGu-2012-PH-071a.jpg. Kete Christchurch. Entry in the 2012 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt. CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 NZ.
The Canterbury Croquet Association was formed on 3 August 1910, the first in New Zealand. This is one of only two images we have of croquet in Kete Christchurch – we would welcome more.
Kete Christchurch is a collection of photographs and stories about Christchurch and Canterbury, past and present. Anyone can join and contribute.
Ted Dawe’s Thunder Road was followed by Into the River, which won the 2013 Book of the Year at the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards. There was controversy later when the book was classified. His latest book is Into the World.
Ted Dawe. Image supplied.
What are you looking forward to doing in Christchurch?
I am looking forward to meeting some Christchurch people. They have a different outlook on this compared to Aucklanders. If I get any spare time I will probably go for a stroll around the inner city, I lived in Salisbury Street many years ago.
What do you think about libraries?
Libraries are proving to be the most dynamic cultural edifices in a city. It used to be universities, theatres and galleries but these have all been torn apart by corporate culture and are sad shadows of their former selves. Libraries are egalitarian storehouses of incomparable wealth defended by staunch cultural warriors. Kia kaha!
What would be your “desert island book”?
The Great Gatsby. That book is a universe in a grain of sand. Perfect, mysterious, universal and particular.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I believe that the narrative is the framing principle of the universe. It is the core aesthetic that underpins everything that is or ever was.
Lamb & Hayward Masterworks: Piers Lane Plays Rachmaninov 13 August
Dance
