Writing about cartoons and religion often leads to articles about cutural conflict. I for one am pretty fed up with “Danish cartoon controversies” and the like. Luckily I stumbled upon a couple of new cartoons that have nothing to do with these issues. First, there’s this two-part rendition of the Ten Commandments by D Berrens. I have no idea what might have been the artist’s motivation. The cartoon neither seems to be ridiculing the commandments nor does it take them completely serious. I really liked No.2 – “thou shalt not forge my autograph”.
The second set of quasi religious cartoons is by Spanish artist Mortimer. His “Apocalypse According to Mortimer” (Parts 1,2,3,4,5) is probably best described as Magrittesque. The choice of font, the clear lines as well as the symbolism that remains inscrutable to the casual beholder remind me of that Belgian. I think I got the one with the red lights, though.
For more cartoons on religion (but not on the clash of civilizations) take a look at the “Sacrileg!” collection. There’s also a collection about Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. For some reason it includes caricatures of Mahatma Gandhi and several Nehru-Gandhis as well as Ganesha and Mother Theresa. Maybe somewhere on toonpool.com there are cartoons about Islam that are not about the greater cultural conflict. I will try to find some in the next days.. and I’ll appreciate any help and contributions.
Introducing…
Dutch artist Peer Retera has a varied portfolio. There are panoramic pictures with lots of characters and details like these two. There is something that looks like parts of a comic series: “De Bonkies” seems to be a cross between Gilbert Shelton’s Freak Brothers and German cartoon character Werner. Then there are some single-panel cartoons too. I liked this one and didn’t get that one. Finally, there is a classic pencil caricature of PSV Eindhoven chairman Harry van Raaij. Let’s wait and see what kind of art Peer will upload next.
Cartoons of Interest
This week’s favorite is “Der Dritte Mann” ["The Third Man"] by Berlin-based cartoonist OL. It translates as follows: “Now that we’re through with the rationalization measures I would like to invite the remaining staff over for a night of skat. Could you please find us a third player, Mrs. Lindemüller.”
I love the way OL uses a few black lines and … colorful … watercolors to create a mood of loneliness that comes close to Edward Hopper’s paintings. There are more Hopper moments in some of his other cartoons – OL frequently uses actual Berlin locations as backdrops and, boy, can this city look cold and lonely (1,2,3,4).
Paul Hellmich
Tags: last week, letzte woche, religion, skat
I enjoy your articles!
me too!