Artists' modern take on cartoons at Optiv101 Mark One exhibition at Whanganui Arts @ the Centre Gallery

Sean Hammond's digital print <i>The Lamentation of Christ</i> draws on Sandro Botticelli and pop culture.

The modernist interpretation of the cartoon is the theme for the Optiv101 Mark One exhibition at the Whanganui Arts @ the Centre Gallery.

Originally a Renaissance practice, cartoons were study drawings to establish form and composition in preparation for major work.

Nine artists of Optiv101 Fine Arts and Multimedia Studios are exhibiting different interpretations of the cartoon in the styles of doodles, editorial cartoons, comic strips and graphic novels, and pastiche collage.

Sean Hammond draws on Sandro Botticelli, of the Renaissance era, and pop culture with his works. His treatment of The Lamentation over the Dead Christ appropriates Botticelli's inert body of Christ surrounded by the Virgin, St Peter, Mary Magdalene, St John the Evangelist, St Jerome and St Paul, collaged with cult animated characters of the 21st century. There is graffiti art at the tomb and Jesus has dropped his iPhone.

Zareena Stadnik's digital print <i>Kia Kaha Aotearoa</i> is a commentary on recent events in New Zealand.

Zareena Stadnik uses a hyper-stylised graphic format to present topical issues of present-day society. Kia Kaha Aotearoa is inspired by this year's events of terrorism and gun control in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how an ideal of personality is being drawn around Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Aaron Potaka's reduction-cut woodcut <i>Tits</i> is part of his series <i>Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television</i>.

Aaron Potaka's reduction-cut print series Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television is based on ideas of comic strip elements. The series reflects American comedian George Carlin's routine of the same name which in 1972 resulted in him being charged with violating obscenity laws.

Steve Duggan, Alice MacDonald, Sandra Brumbie, Ewen Stratford, Bernie Steyn and Esther Topfer also have works in the exhibition.

The exhibition is on until May 2.