From Trump to Rohingya Muslims, cartoonists say what's on their mind at this exhibition

An exhibition featuring cartoons by both seasoned and emerging cartoonists roped in a good number of visitors at Coopera Art Gallery, The Mall, on Friday.

The group exhibition displaying 215 cartoons, both coloured and black and white, by 22 cartoonists from Pakistan and abroad, covers a large canvass of issues, both national and international, from American President Donald Trump’s policies to Rohingya Muslims and from comic books to stories of novels and socio-political subjects.

Cartoonists also raised questions on damage caused to historical monuments through the Orange Line Train Project and they also discuss social issues and politics. The exhibition is curated by Zunaira Sajjad, Mudassar Butt, Zakira Naeem and Rabia Aleem.

The exhibition is by Comic PK Foundation in collaboration with Coopera Art Gallery.

The works of two international comic book writers Omar Mirza and Khurram Ansar Mehtabdin attracted many visitors. Both are comic book writers and are creators of Zindaan comic book series and ‘Incapable Trump’. Their cartoons discussed Trump and his policies.

The other cartoonists whose work is being displayed at the exhibition are Dr Ajaz Anwar, Nanna Anwar (late), Dr Shaukat Mehmood, known as Maxim, Farooq Qaiser, Feica, Zahid Masood, Dr Muhammad Imran, Zahid Masood, Afshan Ejaz, Noshi Ejaz, Ali Haider, Erfanullah Babar, Raheem Kasher Lala, Khalid Hussain, Marria Khan, Minahil Aftab, Mudassar Butt, Sabir Nazar, Tariq Afridi, Umar Sajjad, Zunaira Sajjad, Afia Shahid, Omar Mirza and Khurram Ansar Mehtabdin.

All cartoons present a commentary on critical issues. Lala’s cartoons showed the ever increasing price hike and loadshedding, whereas Mudassar Butt’s cartoons discuss Trump and police.

Sabir Nazar’s cartoons show the repeated politics in Pakistan while Marria Khan’s cartoons show the damage caused to historical monuments because of the Orange Line Train Project. Her works also discussed the fashion trends and how every year different branded lawns become a craze for ladies.

Sister duo Afshan Ejaz and Noshi Ejaz come up in their cartoons 12 monuments of Mughal era, their past and present. Zunaira Sajjad made a cartoon all in red colour on HIV issue.

The exhibition will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm till Sept 28.

Originally published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2017