Laughing in the darkness
They say that laughter is the best medicine, and sometimes, when the state of the world is looking overwhelmingly bleak, seeing the funny side is all that is left to do.
One of the most entertaining and fundamental parts of any newspaper are its caricatures, which provide a welcome relief to some of the tensions through a smile. Arab News boasts some of the top editorial cartoonists in the region. Always on the nose, carefully toeing the line between the appropriate and the barrier-breaking, they have been speaking about how they got into the business and some of the favorite aspects of their work, while also offering advice to up-and-coming artists. Mohammed Rayes knew from a young age that he wanted to be a caricature artist. “Most people don’t have a clear idea of what their life goals are during childhood, but gradually, a person finds themselves attracted to a specific field.
“I found myself drawn to caricature and started drawing for my first publication at the age of 15 when I was still in school,” he said. Having worked for the Saudi Research and Publishing Co. for nearly 20 years, his work has been featured in a range of publications, including Arab News’ sister paper Asharq Al-Awsat.
Rayes joined Arab News four years ago and was the recipient of last year’s Saudi Media Award in the caricature category.
During his career, he has drawn countless cartoons, some more dark than funny, others more funny than dark, but always thought-provoking.
“Over the years I have drawn many caricatures that express different issues, so I am not able to identify a specific drawing close to me, but some of my works carry cherished memories. Examples are letters of thanks and praise from government officials for drawings that have been published, or thanks from the editorial staff of the newspaper,” he said.
He could not pinpoint a single source of inspiration, saying that he found many things in his daily life inspiring. “The community around me, from my family and friends to the general public, even people in the street are sources of ideas. Even situations or issues I find on social media articles in newspapers.”
Amjad Rasmi discovered his interest in caricature while attending the Jordan Institute of Fine Arts in the mid-1990s, but what began as a simple money earner became a way of life.
“The strongest motivation in my life to become a cartoonist in the beginning was the job, frankly. It started out that way at first, and now it is my life,” he said.
After getting published in several weekly newspapers, he moved to the local daily press as a full-time artist. Since 2005, his work has been published in Arab News in conjunction with Asharq Al-Awsat. Known for his unique style and visuals, as well as his signature sense of humor, Rasmi has been recognized internationally for his various published works.
“I am a visual artist before I am a cartoonist. This is reflected in my drawing style in terms of line and perspective, and the importance of color and its connection with the content.
“There are many inspiring things in our lives. The extent to which I feel and get affected by things creates a state of brainstorming. I often try to distinguish between my own reality and true reality by presenting my ideas … there is a big difference between the two