Primarily based within the capital of Jordan, Abdallat has spent years utilizing artwork to spark conversations on human rights, tolerance and social change. Via his Free Pen initiative, he leads workshops with younger individuals, particularly in communities affected by displacement, serving to them categorical their experiences and hopes by drawing.
From collaborations with UNESCO to counter hate speech, to successful the UN Growth Programme (UNDP) Social Entrepreneurship Summit Award in 2021, Abdallat is devoted to supporting youth engagement in civic life.
Omar Abdallat takes a selfie with the members of considered one of his cartoon workshops.
UN Information spoke with Abdallat about his journey into cartooning, the function of artwork in disaster settings and why he believes even the smallest drawing can spark a world dialog.
This interview has been edited for readability and brevity.
UN Information: What first drew you to cartooning? And what does it imply to you?
Omar Abdallat: I first began drawing as a child, copying characters from cartoon exhibits on tv and comedian books, nevertheless it was at college that I realised it may very well be one thing extra.
I started sketching my professors, then began sharing my cartoons on-line on web sites for Arab cartoonists. It was nice for individuals to see my work, reply to it and get suggestions.
Ultimately, it turned my occupation – however greater than that, it turned a life-style.
Cartoons make me take into consideration the individuals round me, about my society. I generally say cartooning is my faith as a result of I imagine it makes me a greater human being.
UN Information: When did you first realise your cartoons may attain individuals far past your personal neighborhood?
Omar Abdallat: I studied cartoons on my own and what I learnt from different artists is the significance of simplicity. So, I attempt to attract advanced points as if I used to be drawing them for kids.
Once I began sharing my work on Fb is when it clicked: individuals from internationally have been responding and reacting. That’s after I understood that cartoons are a language everybody understands.
UN Information: Might you share a couple of explicit work of yours?
Omar Abdallat: As an illustration, considered one of my most up-to-date works is impressed by classical work portraying leaders from Europe and different elements of the world.
The scene depicts the wolf, within the picture of a ruler, celebrating his dominance over the pen and the sheep, whereas one of many sheep seems fascinated by the wolf’s charisma.
In nations the place there isn’t any real switch of energy, the very notion of the homeland turns into distorted. Management is decreased to domination and loyalty transforms from a collective precept into blind obedience.
UN Information: That’s a really putting picture and actually displays your activism, which you’ve developed each by your cartoons and your initiatives. You’ve labored in many various settings, from public areas to refugee communities and worldwide boards. What areas do you discover most significant to work in?
Omar Abdallat: I discover my work with kids and younger individuals particularly significant – notably with these going by challenges. It seems like we’re not simply drawing however empowering them by cartoons, to assist them imagine in their very own tales once more.
It’s very significant to provide them this protected area the place they will discuss themselves, draw and acquire some confidence.
I all the time start by telling them the story of cartoons – the place it got here from, what it means. Then I educate them to attract step-by-step. As soon as they’ve the fundamentals, we begin speaking about deeper issues like their rights, the surroundings, the best way they think about the longer term.
My dream is to show this into a world motion, to carry cartoons to each little one that may want it, particularly in locations like Gaza the place being a toddler might be so laborious.
UN Information: Do they ever shock you with their views?
Omar Abdallat: Some children are very gifted. Via their cartoons, you’ll be able to higher perceive their tradition, their background and generally their issues.
They share about racism, poverty and hate speech. In return, I do my finest to enhance their understanding of those matters.
UN Information: Do you see cartoons as a sort of therapeutic?
Omar Abdallat: I imagine in cartoons as a life-style. It’s the air we breathe. It’s the best way we perceive issues.
When the Charlie Hebdo tragedy occurred ten years in the past, I bear in mind pondering: we’d like a humanitarian model of that spirit – a platform that unites reasonably than divides.
That concept turned the seed for one thing I’m nonetheless engaged on right this moment: a “Cartoon Lab” – a community of academies the place kids and adults can categorical themselves safely by artwork.
UN Information: As you’ve defined, cartoons can contact on delicate matters. Have you ever ever confronted challenges or resistance to your work?
Omar Abdallat: Problem is my center identify! I used to cover this however now I say it out loud. A few of them are as a result of surroundings of the Center East, some due to expertise.
Within the Center East, you’ll be able to really feel afraid to your life and the lifetime of your kids. It’s not straightforward to be a cartoonist right here normally.
UN Information: How do you retain your hope alive?
Omar Abdallat: One of many issues I discovered from my late father who was a health care provider is that he by no means let any affected person go till he fought for his or her life. That’s our obligation in life, to assist individuals round us grow to be higher.
I need individuals who see my work to be themselves and to provide the most effective of themselves to the world, to place apart their variations and imagine in our widespread humanity.
When darkness comes round, the solar nonetheless rises. Each winter has a spring. It is a part of nature. You simply have to carry on lengthy sufficient to see it.
