Helen Courtney

Helen Kathleen Courtney (5 June 1952 – 4 March 2020) was a New Zealand cartoonist and illustrator, known for her work on Broadsheet.^[1][2]

Life

Of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Te Āti Awa descent, Courtney grew up in West Auckland.^[3]

Career

Courtney joined the Broadsheet collective in 1974, contributing cartoons and illustrations and designing the magazine between 1990 and 1991.^[4][5] She published in a number of New Zealand publications including, Craccum (1983) and Tu Mai (1984).^[5]

Chess

Helen Courtney represented New Zealand three times in the Women's Chess Olympiad.^[6]

Publications

• Harpies & heroines : a cartoon history of women's changing roles (featured, 2003)
• Broadsheet (designer, 1990-1991)
• No body's perfect: a self-help book for women who have problems with food (illustrator, 1989)

Exhibitions

• Killer Queen: Cartoons by Helen Courtney (2015), The Charlotte Museum, Auckland^[3]
• Harpies & Heroines (2003), National Library of New Zealand^[7]