Back in May, an exhibition of political cartoons — titled Licence to Offend — was due to be hosted at a venue in Kingston. Then, at the eleventh hour, the plug was pulled. The venue, apparently, was concerned the cartoons might offend some people.
Now, the "outrageously unapologetic" free-to-view show is back with a vengeance — and at a fitting venue too. Licence to Offend will be hosted at Mayfair's Colony Room Green — a replica of the infamous Soho drinking den of maverick creatives including Francis Bacon and Maggi Hambling — from Tuesday 16 September-Saturday 4 October 2025.
The collection of "bold, brash and delightfully disrespectful" pieces are by talented cartoonists published in the likes of Private Eye, the Times, the Guardian and the Telegraph. Topics covered include Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Palestine, the Trump presidency and the legacy of Boris Johnson during Covid. Indeed, the unrelenting speed of politics these days means some of the gags already feel a little dated. Does anyone even remember Rishi Sunak?
The last-minute cancellation of the original show sparked outrage in the press, after the organisers were allegedly told by the venue to "take down the show immediately after our private view". Soon after, the private view was nixed too.
Says Darren Coffield, curator at Colony Room Green: "Cartooning has always thrived on outrage, razor-sharp wit, and the freedom to bite. This show celebrates that radical soul."
Licence to Offend, Colony Room Green, Tuesday 16 September-Saturday 4 October 2025, 11am-7pm daily, free
