Name/Title
And furthermore I say to you…great citizens of this great province… Political cartoonEntry/Object ID
2001.02.11Description
Drawing
This ca. 1960 cartoon depicts Phil Gaglardi (1913-1995), sometimes known as “Flyin’ Phil” or “Sorry Phil”, a politician who served as B.C.’s Social Credit Party Minister of Highways from 1952 to 1968, a term marked by rapid expansion of the province’s road and bridge system. He also served as mayor of Kamloops from 1988 to 1990.
Full title:
“ And furthermore I say to you…great citizens of this great province… .”
The cartoon highlights Gaglardi's flamboyant style, although the context or specific issue related to the event is not known. He is shown speaking and gesticulating at a podium bristling with media microphones in front of a wildly supportive audience, some waving signs, some throwing flowers, one lady holding up a baby to be kissed and one man at the right crying. It is not known where this cartoon was published, if so it was likely in a Vancouver newspaper.Artwork Details
Medium
Pen and ink on paperSubject Place
Region
Pacific NorthwestContinent
North AmericaContext
Gaglardi was a leading member of Social Credit Premier W.A.C. Bennett’s cabinet. What really got him noticed was a stunt he used to convince a reluctant Bennett to buy the government a Lear jet (thus, “Flyin’ Phil”). With a propensity for getting speeding tickets - in his own words he was "testing the curves" on highways and when pulled over, he would flash his pilot's license saying that he wasn't driving too fast, he was flying too low. Gaglardi is probably most remembered for this colourful flair. He was also noted for the “Sorry for the delays” signs he had placed at road construction sites (thus, “Sorry Phil”).Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Sidney (Sid) Arnold Barron (1917-2006)Role
ArtistDate made
circa 1960Time Period
20th CenturyNotes
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Born in Toronto, Sidney (Sid) Arnold Barron was a popular Canadian editorial cartoonist and artist. During his career, he drew for "The Victoria Times", "The Toronto Star", "Maclean's" and "The Albertan". Barron's densely illustrated style often included a biplane with a trailing sign and a bored "puddy-tat" holding a sign. He often dealt with his subjects satirically and with wit rather than being directly political.
Barron grew up in Victoria and after graduating from high school, he worked as a sign painter and commercial illustrator during the Great Depression. At age 21, he took his first formal art classes from artist and designer Allan Edwards (1915-1991). During World War II, Barron worked in the Canadian comic book industry, producing comics for Canadian Heroes Comics. He also started to paint harbours, ships and beach scenes in watercolour and tempera.
In 1958 Barron started to produce editorial cartoons for "The Victoria Daily Times", and in 1961 after a Pierre Berton introduction, Barron moved east to begin a 30-year relationship with "The Toronto Star", as an alternate to cartoonist Duncan Macpherson (1924-1993). In 1962, he moved to Calgary to produce work for "The Albertan" while still selling pieces to "The Toronto Star". In 1964, he started selling cartoons to "Maclean's".
After the National Archives of Canada and the Glenbow Museum bought many of his original cartoons, he was able to retire and travel. He later moved to Vancouver Island, where he and his wife opened an art studio and gallery. He was a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
Text commentary in drawing:
Upper left banners:
MORE POWER TO OUR PHIL
SOCIAL CREDIT FOREVER
Hard hat:
KAMLOOPS KAM? BUSTERS
Various signs:
PHLYING PHIL...THE SPEED PHIEND'S PHRIEND
PHOLLOW PHIL! [with tire track]
UP THE MALAHAT
LIKE PHIL (MAN)
YEA GAGLARDI....Acquisition
Acquisition Method
Legacy collection - detail unknownRelationships
Related Entries
Notes
By Sidney (Sid) Arnold Barron:
2001.02.11 “And furthermore I say to you….” Re Phil Gaglardi, B.C. politician (political cartoon)
2016.01.07 Vancouver Harbour Front (3 drawings in one frame)
2022.04.01 Ships at Sea
