I swear this image is titled ‘happydog’ electronically (not ‘Happy Dog’) but, to me, it looks more like a cross between a dopey dinosaur, a shark and a robot. I’m thinking the fins are a cross between stegosaurus plates and a shark fin reversed against the flow, the tail looks like a drill… Analysing the components could be inspiration for a versatile companion or vehicle in a speculative fiction story!
Ian Gunn, creator of these silly illos (illustrations), was a beloved award-winning artist based in Melbourne. Cancer took him from us too soon.
Ian left a legacy including lots of great illustrations. Many of these illustrations are available for sale.
Victoria’s science fiction convention, Continuum, occasionally presents the Ian Gunn Memorial Award recognising the ‘unsung heroes’ of fandom: people consistently working in the background who never expect any recognition of their efforts. This commemorates Ian’s selfless efforts to reach out to others, encouraging others and thereby building the science fiction community.
K’rin Pender-Gunn, Ian’s widow, gave Dark Matter Zine permission to republish Ian’s artwork. Thanks, K’rin!
