PCOer Alex Matthews has published a book of cartoons with the rather unlikely title of Crystalline Structure Friday. It brings together dozens of single-panel “Alexander” cartoons from magazines such as Private Eye and Prospect, along with previously unseen work.

Bloghorn is amused by Alex’s twisted and surreal view of the world, so we cornered him and asked him some questions.

You’re relatively new to the world of magazine cartooning, why did you decide to do a compilation of cartoons at this stage?
I felt that the first stage of my cartooning career, where I was learning how to write gags, developing a style, and trying desperately to get my first cartoon published, was over. I also had a lot of good gags that had never seen print, so I stuck the best ones in there. It’s a really good thing to be able to give potential clients a book of your work. Better than scribbling down a website address. They’ll remember you.

What’s with the title?
I wanted a title that would make people go “What?” And then, when they’ve read the cartoon that the title is taken from, they get it. And are perhaps a little disappointed. It fits with the black cover and general feel of the book, I think.

As well as being a cartoonist, you teach art and design in Moscow. How do those two things complement each other?
Teaching keeps my mind lively and explaining ideas about illustration helps them to become clearer in my mind. And because my Russian is so bad, I am more isolated than in England. That actually helps in thinking up ideas. I’m less distracted by other people, TV and things. People say Russia must give you so many ideas, but it doesn’t really. My gags are more about having job interviews with pelicans and stuff like that.

Crystalline Structure Friday: A Collection of Cartoons by Alexander is available from lulu.com, priced £9.10

Bloghorn spotted this great work during this week ending the 8th May 2009.

One: Matt in the Daily Telegraph: Atishoo!

Two: Ros Asquith in The Guardian on loyal service

Three: Alex Matthews in Prospect on projecting the right image

The PCO: Great British cartoon talent
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Shrewsbury on Sunday, and after the traditional Saturday night of eating, drinking and drawing on tablecloths, there is one more gallery opening event. Professor Colin Pillinger, the architect of Beagle 2, the Mars Lander, has a personal selection of cartoons titled Science Friction at the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. After that, all the cartoonists gather at the Bear Steps Gallery for a meet-and-greet with the public, before heading back home to their drawing boards.

Shrewsbury’s venerable Bear Steps Gallery this year houses the Boffination exhibition. The venue is packed to its ancient rafters with high quality jokes on the subject of science and nature which the festival cartoonists will be only too pleased to flog to you for home display.