12-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Snakes meet politics and culture in SCMP cartoonist Harry Harrison's art auction
Over the past few months, the state of the economy has been top of mind for many, including Harry Harrison, the Post's long-time political cartoonist.
Advertisement
That is why it is the key issue addressed in his latest collection of humorous Lunar New Year illustrations, which is titled '2025 … S-S-Snakes Alive!' as a nod to this year's Chinese zodiac animal. The set of eight original watercolour and ink works will be up for auction at
The Store by the South China Morning Post from 11am (Hong Kong time) on March 12 to 2pm on March 18, and bids for each illustration will open at HK$2,025, with bid increments of HK$300.
For Harrison, who has been drawing cartoons for the Post since 2001, the Year of the Snake is set to be full of surprises, which is why many of his witty illustrations this year reflect a general sense of uncertainty.
'Everyone's hoping the Year of the Snake is going to be good, but snakes are unpredictable and can be dangerous. It might bite you. That's the general feeling I get from the economy and also a lot of the geopolitics as well,' he says. 'It has to be handled with care, the Year of the Snake.'
Obstacles to Recovery is inspired by the classic board game snakes and ladders. Photo: Harry Harrison
Impervious to Charm stars the ginger cat, a regular Harry Harrison character. Photo: Harry Harrison
The first piece in the collection is 'Obstacles to Recovery', which is inspired by the classic board game snakes and ladders. The grey cat, who is depicted in a suit, is seen trying to ascend the ladder – reflecting the business sector's desire for economic growth – but is dragged down by the insidious snake.
