Cartoon exhibition: Letting wit do the talking
Eminent historian, conversationalist and cartoonist, Professor Shaukat’s exhibition.
ISLAMABAD:
On a languid Thursday evening, political cartoonist Professor Shaukat Mehmood’s works were exhibited at the Terrace Café, Marriott. The outdoor space was lit by fairy-lights, live music serenaded guests, waiters glided past carrying trays of refreshment. The atmosphere can be described as romantic at best, contrasted sharply with the satirical nature of Dr Shaukat’s cartoons plastered on glass walls.
“Dr Shaukat is a well-known cartoonist for political columns,” explained Banquet Sales and Operations Manager, Safdar Khan. “We are holding this event because we want to promote and encourage local talent.”
Abisha, the evening’s host, an actor and an upcoming singer, shared her own views on the artist: “I’m a big fan of cartoons and I think it’s a good gesture on Dr Shaukat’s part to focus his work on the weaker parts of society.”
Abisha pointed out that Dr Shaukat’s work uses satire as a commentary on problematic politics- the precarious security situation, corruption, external pressures and foreign involvement are all highlighted here. His style can be best described as comical and biting. In one of his cartoons, a vampiric Uncle Sam with two diminutive fangs emerging from the corner of his smiling mouth offers atomic energy to India while a bag of peanuts is held out for Pakistan, clearly the loser in this transaction. Shaukat also attacks local policing in another one of his cartoons: here a police station is depicted with a sign that reads “Mujra in progress.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2011.
On a languid Thursday evening, political cartoonist Professor Shaukat Mehmood’s works were exhibited at the Terrace Café, Marriott. The outdoor space was lit by fairy-lights, live music serenaded guests, waiters glided past carrying trays of refreshment. The atmosphere can be described as romantic at best, contrasted sharply with the satirical nature of Dr Shaukat’s cartoons plastered on glass walls.
“Dr Shaukat is a well-known cartoonist for political columns,” explained Banquet Sales and Operations Manager, Safdar Khan. “We are holding this event because we want to promote and encourage local talent.”
Abisha, the evening’s host, an actor and an upcoming singer, shared her own views on the artist: “I’m a big fan of cartoons and I think it’s a good gesture on Dr Shaukat’s part to focus his work on the weaker parts of society.”
Abisha pointed out that Dr Shaukat’s work uses satire as a commentary on problematic politics- the precarious security situation, corruption, external pressures and foreign involvement are all highlighted here. His style can be best described as comical and biting. In one of his cartoons, a vampiric Uncle Sam with two diminutive fangs emerging from the corner of his smiling mouth offers atomic energy to India while a bag of peanuts is held out for Pakistan, clearly the loser in this transaction. Shaukat also attacks local policing in another one of his cartoons: here a police station is depicted with a sign that reads “Mujra in progress.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2011.