Skip Williamson
Encyclopedia
Skip Williamson is an American underground
cartoonist
and central figure in the underground comix
movement.
Williamson is known for being the most political and satirical cartoonist of the underground comix movement.
, but later moved to Lynchburg, Virginia
, and then to Canton, Missouri
. Williamson's real first name is Mervyn; however when he was a child, he was a bit of a troublemaker, so his Nana gave him the nickname "Skip" after Percy Crosby
's comic strip character "Skippy".
's HELP! Magazine
in 1961. The cartoon was accepted by then Help! editor Gloria Steinem
. The cartoon was of two New Orleans trash cans. One was labeled "Negro Trash" the other "White Trash". Subsequently, comedian Dick Gregory
went on The Tonight Show
and showed the cartoon on national television, launching Williamson into the mainstream.
publish The Chicago Mirror. The Chicago Mirror was later changed to Bijou Funnies.
In 1968, along with Robert Crumb and Jay Lynch, Williamson helped launch Bijou Funnies, one of the earliest and longest running underground comix titles. Some years later the Comix Journal said, "Skip Williamson is still the quintessential underground comix artist." and that "where (Robert) Crumb’s primary comix aim was introspective… Williamson took a broader look, skewering both left-wing trendiness and right-wing over-reaction at a time of much-publicized left-wing trendiness… Crumb’s approach may have been more…artistically "legitimate", but to those struggling to make sense of the socio-political chaos, Williamson was frequently the funnier." Writer Gina Piccalo commented "During the last 33 years, Williamson has rubbed elbows with the movers and shakers of America’s underground. As [an] editor of Help! Magazine, Gloria Steinem gave a 16-year-old Williamson his start when she published his work in 1961. Stand-up comedian turned political activist Dick Gregory used one of Williamson’s cartoons on the Tonight Show. Williamson’s Snappy Sammy Smoot character was brought to life by actor Carl Reiner on the show Laugh-In in the 1960s."
, he was allowed into the courtroom where the Chicago 8
trial was being held, where he did sketches of key characters in the trial. Williamson illustrated the first printing of Abbie Hoffman
's book, Steal This Book
. Hoffman gave Williamson the advance from his book, Steal This Book
, for Williamson to produce a comic that would raise money for the Chicago 8
defense fund. Williamson produced the comic book Conspiracy Capers, which featured the art of Jay Lynch
, Art Spiegelman
, Jay Kinney
, Dan Clyne, Paul David Simon and more.
And in 1976 he joined the staff of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine. There he created the popular “Playboy Funnies” section and introduced millions of readers to his characters, Neon Vincent and the post-modern couple Nell ‘n’ Void. Skip Williamson's art has been published in the National Lampoon, High Times, the Realist
, the Industrial Worker, the Chicago Seed, Encyclopaedia Britannica and others.
His art has been auctioned at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Heritage
auction houses. In recent years Skip Williamson has concentrated on producing large-scale canvasses depicting political social abomination and political treachery. These works have been exhibited in galleries in Portland OR, New Orleans LA, Los Angeles CA, New York City NY, Philadelphia and other cites.
In 2000 Williamson exhibited his paintings in a solo show at Atlanta’s Eyedrum gallery. Dr. Jerry Cullum (Senior editor of Art Papers) wrote in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Williamson knows how to put together a picture, balancing color and skewed perspective as effectively as any realist painter would…He fits perfectly into a type of art championed by Juxtapoz magazine, in which a cartoon style is put to intelligent but outrageous uses. And his cynical view of humanity, worthy of such past satirists as Honore Daumier, is dead-on regarding the place where most people are."
"And yet, so much art reveals the places where people never even consider going. But that’s not Williamson’s concern. He reflectively steps on toes, and he rocks."
Skip Williamson’s art has become a matter of record and has been documented by Penguin Books (London), Brumm Publishing (Frankfurt/Main, Germany), E.P. Dutton and Company (NYC), Studio Vista Publishers (London), Boston Art & Book (Boston MA), the Graphis Press (Zurich, Switzerland), Arcanum Press (Amsterdam, Netherlands), School of African Studies – Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts), the Designer’s Gaukuin College (Tokyo, Japan), Northwestern University Press (Evanston IL), The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, The Washington Post, The Milwaukee Bugle-American, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, The Detroit Free-Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and many others.
Skip Williamson's comics are included in the permanent collection of the Ryerson & Burnham Library at the Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Underground art
Underground art, as with underground music and underground film, is a term that seeks to describe art forms that are aloof to the mainstream art world, are illegal, taboo, unconventional, rebellious or revolutionary...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
and central figure in the underground comix
Underground comix
Underground comix are small press or self-published comic books which are often socially relevant or satirical in nature. They differ from mainstream comics in depicting content forbidden to mainstream publications by the Comics Code Authority, including explicit drug use, sexuality and violence...
movement.
Williamson is known for being the most political and satirical cartoonist of the underground comix movement.
Childhood
Williamson was born in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, but later moved to Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
, and then to Canton, Missouri
Canton, Missouri
Canton is a city in Lewis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,557 at the 2000 census. Canton is the site of Culver-Stockton College, a small liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church...
. Williamson's real first name is Mervyn; however when he was a child, he was a bit of a troublemaker, so his Nana gave him the nickname "Skip" after Percy Crosby
Percy Crosby
Percy Leo Crosby was an American author, illustrator and cartoonist best known for his popular comic strip Skippy. Adapted into movies, a novel and a radio show, Crosby's creation was commemorated on a 1997 U.S. Postal Service stamp...
's comic strip character "Skippy".
First publication
Williamson's first published cartoon was in Harvey KurtzmanHarvey Kurtzman
Harvey Kurtzman was an American cartoonist and the editor of several comic books and magazines. Kurtzman often signed his name H. Kurtz, followed by a stick figure Harvey Kurtzman (October 3, 1924, Brooklyn, New York – February 21, 1993) was an American cartoonist and the editor of several comic...
's HELP! Magazine
Help! (magazine)
Help! was an American magazine published by James Warren. It wasHarvey Kurtzman's longest-running magazine project after leaving Mad and EC Publications, and during its five years of operation it was always chronically underfunded, yet innovative...
in 1961. The cartoon was accepted by then Help! editor Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s...
. The cartoon was of two New Orleans trash cans. One was labeled "Negro Trash" the other "White Trash". Subsequently, comedian Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory
Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory is an American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur....
went on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
and showed the cartoon on national television, launching Williamson into the mainstream.
Underground Comix
Williamson moved to Chicago in 1967 to help long time friend Jay LynchJay Lynch
Jay Lynch is an American cartoonist who played a key role in the underground comix movement with his Bijou Funnies and other titles. His work is sometimes signed Jayzey Lynch. He has contributed to Mad, and in 2008, he expanded into the children's book field.-Early life and career:Born in Orange,...
publish The Chicago Mirror. The Chicago Mirror was later changed to Bijou Funnies.
In 1968, along with Robert Crumb and Jay Lynch, Williamson helped launch Bijou Funnies, one of the earliest and longest running underground comix titles. Some years later the Comix Journal said, "Skip Williamson is still the quintessential underground comix artist." and that "where (Robert) Crumb’s primary comix aim was introspective… Williamson took a broader look, skewering both left-wing trendiness and right-wing over-reaction at a time of much-publicized left-wing trendiness… Crumb’s approach may have been more…artistically "legitimate", but to those struggling to make sense of the socio-political chaos, Williamson was frequently the funnier." Writer Gina Piccalo commented "During the last 33 years, Williamson has rubbed elbows with the movers and shakers of America’s underground. As [an] editor of Help! Magazine, Gloria Steinem gave a 16-year-old Williamson his start when she published his work in 1961. Stand-up comedian turned political activist Dick Gregory used one of Williamson’s cartoons on the Tonight Show. Williamson’s Snappy Sammy Smoot character was brought to life by actor Carl Reiner on the show Laugh-In in the 1960s."
The Chicago 8
Because of Williamson's friendship with Yippie activist Abbie HoffmanAbbie Hoffman
Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman was a political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ....
, he was allowed into the courtroom where the Chicago 8
Chicago Seven
The Chicago Seven were seven defendants—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner—charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois on the occasion of the 1968...
trial was being held, where he did sketches of key characters in the trial. Williamson illustrated the first printing of Abbie Hoffman
Abbie Hoffman
Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman was a political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ....
's book, Steal This Book
Steal This Book
-Advice on dissidence:The book includes advice on such topics as growing cannabis, starting a pirate radio station, living in a commune, stealing food, shoplifting, stealing credit cards, preparing a legal defense, making pipe bombs, and obtaining a free buffalo from the Department of the Interior...
. Hoffman gave Williamson the advance from his book, Steal This Book
Steal This Book
-Advice on dissidence:The book includes advice on such topics as growing cannabis, starting a pirate radio station, living in a commune, stealing food, shoplifting, stealing credit cards, preparing a legal defense, making pipe bombs, and obtaining a free buffalo from the Department of the Interior...
, for Williamson to produce a comic that would raise money for the Chicago 8
Chicago Seven
The Chicago Seven were seven defendants—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner—charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois on the occasion of the 1968...
defense fund. Williamson produced the comic book Conspiracy Capers, which featured the art of Jay Lynch
Jay Lynch
Jay Lynch is an American cartoonist who played a key role in the underground comix movement with his Bijou Funnies and other titles. His work is sometimes signed Jayzey Lynch. He has contributed to Mad, and in 2008, he expanded into the children's book field.-Early life and career:Born in Orange,...
, Art Spiegelman
Art Spiegelman
Art Spiegelman is an American comics artist, editor, and advocate for the medium of comics, best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning comic book memoir, Maus. His works are published with his name in lowercase: art spiegelman.-Biography:Spiegelman was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to Polish Jews...
, Jay Kinney
Jay Kinney
Jay Kinney is an American author, editor, and former underground cartoonist. A member, along with Skip Williamson, Jay Lynch and R. Crumb, of the original Bijou Funnies crew, Kinney also edited Young Lust, a satire of romance comics, in the early 1970s with Bill Griffith...
, Dan Clyne, Paul David Simon and more.
Publication history
During the 70s and 80s Skip Williamson art directed and contributed artwork to Men's magazines. In 1973 he was Art Director of Gallery magazine where he created the “Girl Next Door” concept by publishing snapshots of sweethearts and wives sent in by readers. In 1974 Williamson was the founding Art Director of HustlerHustler
Hustler is a monthly pornographic magazine aimed at men and published in the United States. It was first published in 1974 by Larry Flynt. It was a step forward from the Hustler Newsletter which was cheap advertising for his strip club businesses at the time. The magazine grew from a shaky start to...
And in 1976 he joined the staff of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine. There he created the popular “Playboy Funnies” section and introduced millions of readers to his characters, Neon Vincent and the post-modern couple Nell ‘n’ Void. Skip Williamson's art has been published in the National Lampoon, High Times, the Realist
The Realist
The Realist was a pioneering magazine of "social-political-religious criticism and satire," intended as a hybrid of a grown-ups version of Mad and Lyle Stuart's anti-censorship monthly The Independent. Edited and published by Paul Krassner, and often regarded as a milestone in the American...
, the Industrial Worker, the Chicago Seed, Encyclopaedia Britannica and others.
Exhibition history
Skip Williamson’s work has been exhibited at the New York Cultural Center (NYC), the Maryland Institute of Design (Baltimore), the Chicago 4 Show (Chicago), the Phoenix Gallery (Berkeley CA), the American Contemporary Graphics Exhibition (a travelling exhibition), the Museum of Comic Art (Northhampton MA), the 23rd Century Gallery (Chicago), the Corcoran Gallery at the DuPont Center (Washington DC), the Lucca Festival (Lucca, Italy), the Tate Gallery of Modern Art (London), the La Luz de Jesus gallery (LA), Gallery Bink (Portland OR), the Vinson Gallery (Atlanta) and many others. His work has been shown throughout Europe in the Comix 2000 traveling exhibition sponsored by the French publisher L’Association.His art has been auctioned at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Heritage
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auction Galleries is the world's largest collectibles auctioneer and the third largest auction house, with over $700 million in annual sales and 600,000 online bidder-members...
auction houses. In recent years Skip Williamson has concentrated on producing large-scale canvasses depicting political social abomination and political treachery. These works have been exhibited in galleries in Portland OR, New Orleans LA, Los Angeles CA, New York City NY, Philadelphia and other cites.
In 2000 Williamson exhibited his paintings in a solo show at Atlanta’s Eyedrum gallery. Dr. Jerry Cullum (Senior editor of Art Papers) wrote in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Williamson knows how to put together a picture, balancing color and skewed perspective as effectively as any realist painter would…He fits perfectly into a type of art championed by Juxtapoz magazine, in which a cartoon style is put to intelligent but outrageous uses. And his cynical view of humanity, worthy of such past satirists as Honore Daumier, is dead-on regarding the place where most people are."
"And yet, so much art reveals the places where people never even consider going. But that’s not Williamson’s concern. He reflectively steps on toes, and he rocks."
Skip Williamson’s art has become a matter of record and has been documented by Penguin Books (London), Brumm Publishing (Frankfurt/Main, Germany), E.P. Dutton and Company (NYC), Studio Vista Publishers (London), Boston Art & Book (Boston MA), the Graphis Press (Zurich, Switzerland), Arcanum Press (Amsterdam, Netherlands), School of African Studies – Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts), the Designer’s Gaukuin College (Tokyo, Japan), Northwestern University Press (Evanston IL), The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, The Washington Post, The Milwaukee Bugle-American, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, The Detroit Free-Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and many others.
Skip Williamson's comics are included in the permanent collection of the Ryerson & Burnham Library at the Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Skip Williamson characters
- Snappy Sammy SmootSnappy Sammy SmootSnappy Sammy Smoot is a comic book character created and drawn by Skip Williamson. The character appeared in his own comic strips in a number of 1960s underground comix.-Characterization:...
- Rag-time Billy
- Necropolis Keester
- Neon Vincent
- Nell & Void