Ian Gunn

Ian Gunn (1st June 1958 – 8th November 1998) was a fanartist who was active in the Australian science fiction community for many years. He was also involved in SF conventions, fanwriting, and a variety of clubs. He even won a Hugo Award for his fanart.
Born in the UK, his family emigrated to Australia as "ten pound poms" when he was aged three. He grew up in Melbourne, where his involvement in scouts gave him a solid background in community group activity, networking and leadership.KRin Pender-Gunn, Ian Gun - A Life, The Eclectic Omnibus.
In 1973 (in Year 10), Ian began submitting artwork for his High School magazine, and by Year 12 he had become co-editor. It was later reported in his biography that he dropped out of school in Year 12 when some cartoons - submitted as a major project for his Art subject - were apparently lost.
The following year, he joined the Public Service (Land Titles Office) and worked there his whole career until he left in 1998.
In 1984, he created a book of cartoons entitled, "What to do with a Dead Kangaroo" which was published by Bandicoot Books in Shepparton. The book distributors did a bad job, and ended up pulping many copies.
==Science Fiction Fandom Activities==
Meeting a bunch of scouts who were fans of Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Ian founded a HHGG fan club in late 1981, even though he was not officially aware of fandom at the time, and he did this entirely on his own initiative. He later reflected: 
 
In 1985, he attended Aussiecon 2 as his first ever convention, and Galactic Tours followed the following year. He then began to attend many conventions, and this led to leadership positions and his nomination for many awards, mainly in fan artwork. 
In 1986, he joined the Melbourne Science Fiction Club, and his artwork started to appear in Ethel the Aardvark newsletter and other science fiction publications.
==Accomplishments==
Ian created a long and accomplished list of Fanzines and Apazines to his name, including:
One 1997 fanzine with which he became involved had an interesting story attached, as related by Irwin Hirsh:
Ian served as President of the Melbourne Science Fiction Club for 1989/90, 1990/91 and 1991/92. KRin Pender-Gunn notes:
 
He also co-chaired Basicon 1 in 1995 and Basicon 2 in 1997.
Ian was keen to encourage excellence in Australian science fiction creativity and fandom, and opposed the classic Australian culture cringe that assumed overseas material was superior:
==Awards==
Ian was recipient of many awards, including:
Regarding his 1999 Hugo Award, KRin Pender-Gunn notes:
==Death and Legacy==
By 1997, it was becoming known that Ian was sick with a "major illness" Bruce Gillespie, Has Anybody Out There Anything Good to Say about 1997?, Scratch Pad No. 26, December 1997, p. 2. and by the April 1998, it was reported that he was undergoing "heavy chemotherapy."Bruce Gillespie, Contents, Scratch Pad No. 27, April 1998, p. 2. 
KRin Pender-Gunn reports of Ian's tragic passing late in 1998, but proudly tells of associated community support at that time:
Bruce Gillespie recalls Ian's funeral:
Responses to his death came from around the world:
For many years, KRin Pender-Gunn operated the Ian Gunn Memorial Fund,KRin Pender-Gunn, The Ian Gunn Memorial Fund, Eclectic Omnibus. but it no longer operates.Email correspondence from KRin Pender-Gunn to Geoff Allshorn on 1 April 2024. She uses Ian's cartoons (estimated between 3,000 to 5,000 in the collection) to raise funds for charity and to share his talent with others.
Continuum conventions also run the Ian Gunn Memorial Award, known also as the Gunny.Ian Gunn Memorial Award, Fancyclopedia 3.
==Gallery==
All cartoons by Ian Gunn and photos as supplied, all used with permission of KRin Pender-Gunn.
File:Ian08.jpg|Ian Gunn (photo by Geoff Allshorn)
File:Ian Gunn.jpg|Ian Gunn at Victoricon in June 1991.
File:Alien tourist.jpg|thumb|Alien Tourist.
File:Sf surprise.jpg|thumb|SF Surprise (artwork by Ian Gunn), used on front cover of The Science Fiction and Fantasy and Horror Fan Resource Book, 1994. 
File:Monster bib.jpg|thumb|Monster bib 
File:Shelf space.jpg|thumb|Shelf space
File:Origami Daleks.jpg|thumb|Ian Gunn artwork: Origami Daleks
File:Basic Fan.jpg|thumb|Basic Fan
File:Sesame Trek.jpg|Sesame Trek
File:Congoer.jpg|thumb|Congoer
File:Sf surprise.jpg|left|thumb|SF Surprise
File:SFFHFRB Front Cover.jpg|thumb|"SF Surprise" as published on the front cover of The Science Fiction and Fantasy and Horror Fan Resource Book, 1994.
File:IanGunn-SFFHFRB.jpg|thumb|Ian Gunn, The Science Fiction and Fantasy and Horror Fan Resource Book, 1994, p. i.
==References==
Category:Fanartists
Category:Fan Club Organizers‎
Category:Convention Organizers
Category:Deceased
Category:1998 Deaths