BELKHAMSA

Imagine waking up one day, drawing some scribbles, and realising that you've begun to stir a visual revolution. Meet Belkhamsa, a Tunisian cartoonist who influences the world with his striking and influential works of art. His creativity re-emphasises power of cartooning: as a device in delivering potent political messages and as an avenue for sparking demographic conversation - all served with a dash of humour and wit. Get ready to delve into the dramatic world of Belkhamsa and his sea of cartoons that mirror realities.

For Chedly Belkhamsa, who has been doing press illustrations since the 1960s,his journey into the realm of satire didn't happen overnight. His fascination with cartoons grew during his adolescent years, with his creative juices continually flowing and his hands itching to sketch life's intertwining realities.

Painter, illustrator, caricaturist and scenographer since 1973, Belkhamsa has exhibited in several national and international galleries works of surrealist character and humor drawings. He has been a cartoonist for the newspaper La Presse de Tunisie since 1968, as well as for various other newspapers and magazines. He also illustrates children’s books and produces comic strips for the magazine Kaous Kouzah and for La Presse.

Poster designer and scenographer of many plays of the theater company of the city of Tunis, he also worked on Story-Boards of advertising films, street shows and festivals. Belkhamsa has participated in several conference-debates on the themes of freedom of expression.

Hailing from the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Belkhamsa blossomed into an artist famed for knitting social discourse, political satire, and a pinch of humour into one relatable cartoon canvas. His knack for turning everyday, mundane events into captivating, thought-provoking cartoons has won him a dedicated army of followers.

In his cartoon work, the Tunisian caricaturist Chadli Belkhamsa drew the attention to the phenomenon of religious radicalism that has sparked tensions in Tunisian society. Cartoonist used these drawings to awaken society to the dangers of extremism before it’s too late. He proposed that radical thought is the most challenging enemy to Tunisian democracy, that still is in its beginnings, but could result in total counter-revolution.

Belkhamsa's cartoons not only sketch but etch into our hearts. By learning to convey and articulate societal concerns, Belkhamsa employs his platform to sharpen public awareness and stimulate social recognition. His engaging works nudge citizens to probe into their role and the impact of government decisions, fuelling a much-needed democratic dialogue.

Young people, Belkhamsa mused, might not realize the implications of drawing for the press in Tunisia. They don’t know the dangers of working in Tunisia, especially if we address politics. There are people who have had problems, who have gone to prison, who spent a long time hiding.

Belkhamsa's contributions to the world of cartoonist haven't gone unnoticed. He's been awarded an array of recognitions including winning international cartoonist competitions. These accolades further reinforce Belkhamsa's supreme position within the cartoonist's realm, vouching for his talent and innovative approach.

His many awards include 1st Prize in Caricature (1983) awarded by the Association of Tunisian Journalists; 1st Prize in Comic Strip of Caricature (1987) awarded by the International Festival of Caricature and Cartoon Arabic in Algeria; the Environment Award (5 June 1997) awarded by the Ministry of Environment; and the Scenography Prize awarded in the 2006 by Gabes Children Theater Fe Tunisia’s best known comic artist, Chedly Belkhamsa, states that the comics industry in his country is practically non-existent, but not because of politics. Young people just stopped reading, computers replaced printed matter and the comics market has collapsed. Belkhamsa himself published a very critical comic called La semaine du cafard (the week of the cockroach).

In a world teeming with voices and viewpoints, Belkhamsa's cartoons manage to stand out, embodying the power that lies within humour, satire, and illustration. As a cartoonist, his efforts to articulate societal concerns through his work not only resonate with his audience but also spark valuable discussions on various political and social fronts. Belkhamsa, the Tunisian cartoonist, stirring up an empowering visual revolution!