Modern Shunga

Book excerpt: In a series of 24 full-color drawings, satirical cartoonist Matthew Martin, captures of the essence of Modern Shunga, and updates it with witty-and often unlikely-cultural and artistic references. Discreetly packaged in a postcard-sized fold-out accordion format, Modern Shunga is perfect gift for lovers of, well, high-class dirty pictures. The project began when Martin, a well-known Australian cartoonist and illustrator, was asked by a friend to paint the identifying icons on the mens and ladies room doors in a new, upscale Japanese restaurant out of Sydney. After countless and generally inappropriate attempts, Martin rekindled his great admiration for shunga, and developed the series of drawings in this book. The works were exhibited at a distinguished Sydney gallery to rave reviews and the development of a cult following.