Eric Heath (artist)


Eric Walmsley Heath is a New Zealand artist, illustrator and cartoonist.

Life and work

Heath was born in Wellington and began his professional life working as an filing clerk for The Evening Post. Hejoined the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War and served with the Air Sea Rescue Catalina Squadron in the Solomon Islands.
After his military service Heath returned to working for The Evening Post, training as a photo engraver. Subsequent to this he worked as a freelance artist. In 1965 Heath had his first cartoon published in the Dominion newspaper. He was the editorial cartoonist for the Dominion from 1964 until 1993 and produced 5 cartoons a week for 28 years.
Eric also produced illustrations for commissioned or collaborative books covering diverse subject matter.

Hobbies

Heath participated in scuba diving and helped establish the Wellington Underwater Club in 1951. He has also built stage sets for the Plimmerton Little Theatre group and replica bumboats.