The independent comics scene in Egypt is flourishing as more and more young adults find freedom of expression through the power of the pen. This is definitely the case for Cairo-based twin cartoonists Mohamed and Haitham El-Seht, who recently sat…
Category: International
Malaysian Artist Charged for Viral Image of PM as Clown
Malaysian artist Fahmi Reza is facing sedition charges for depicting Prime Minister Najib Razak in clown makeup, an image that originally appeared online but has since proliferated in street art throughout the capital of Kuala Lumpur. After learning of those…
Hong Kong Cartoonist Seeks New Publisher After Censorship Attempt
Hong Kong cartoonist Ar To is looking for a new publisher for his collection of political cartoons after his current publisher requested him to make changes to some of his more politically sensitive pieces. Ar To is well-known for his cartoons…
South Africans Debate Legacy of Racist Imagery in Political Cartoon
One of South Africa’s most well-known political cartoonists has become embroiled in controversy since the publication of a cartoon with what he said were unintended racist overtones. The cartoon by Zapiro, AKA Jonathan Shapiro, depicts the country’s top prosecutor Shaun…
Iranian Cartoonists’ Association Becomes Tool for “Suppression and Prevention”
Iran’s House of Cartoon is currently hosting a deliberately provocative Holocaust Cartoon Contest, which organizers say is intended in part to test the boundaries of free expression in the opposite extreme from the Muhammad caricatures in Charlie Hebdo and events…
Zunar Accused of “Economic Sabotage” Over Geneva Exhibit
In response to the cartoonist’s recent exhibition of his political cartoons in Geneva, a member of the Malaysian government is now accusing Zunar of committing “economic sabotage” and plotting to “topple the prime minister.” The exhibit Cartooning for Peace celebrates…
Ecuadorian Artist’s Exhibit Censored by Government
An art exhibit whose central theme is freedom of expression is facing a censorship attempt by the House of Ecuadorian Culture out of concern that it might become a “forum for opinion and political criticism.” Vilma Vargas has built a…
Writers and Readers Come Together to Support Jailed Egyptian Novelist
In a letter sent this week to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, PEN America and more than 120 writers and artists from around the world demanded the release of novelist Ahmed Naji, currently sentenced to two years in prison for…
Japanese “Vagina Kayak” Artist Fined for Distributing 3D Plans Online
A Japanese court yesterday imposed a fine of 400,000 yen (about $3,667) on artist Megumi Igarashi for distributing 3D plans of her own genitals via the Internet. The plans were among the premiums in her crowdfunding campaign, which raised money…
Tom and Jerry Blamed for Violence in the Middle East
A recent comment made by chairman of the Egyptian State Information Service, Ambassador Salah Abdel Sadek, blames the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon Tom and Jerry for the alarming violence and extremism in the Middle East today. The cartoon, which was released…