A Message of Peace and Respect from Nardi to the Global Cartoon Community

📰 In the wake of the debate surrounding the World Press Cartoon (WPC) competition, Italian artist Marilena Nardi addressed a detailed message to her colleagues in the artistic community, urging everyone to approach the issue with caution and respect for all parties involved.

She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between spontaneous artistic similarity and intentional plagiarism, while expressing solidarity with the competition’s organizers and jury.

Nardi wrote in her statement:

Following the controversy surrounding a major competition, the WPC, I believe it's important to discuss it, but with due caution and the respect deserved by all involved.

Allow me to explain my perspective on cartoonists, juries, and competition organizers.

1) Cartooning and editorial drawing, especially those without words, employs graphic rhetorical elements such as emphasis, paradox, and metaphor, which can give rise to seemingly similar images. Without intentional copying or plagiarism. Consider the subject of "Trump": cartoons in which Trump is associated with the idea of limiting (others') freedom and censorship are very common. The cartoons that denounce his idea of authoritarianism through his gigantic and ridiculous signature are countless: his signature as a wall, as a stitching, as a barrier, as barbed wire, etc.

Equally frequent (and inevitable) is the symbol of freedom (with the famous statue) associated with other elements (a red tie as a noose, a red tie as a gag, various types of ties, an extinguished flame, a flame with Trump's yellow hair, etc.) to indicate its censorious and arbitrary nature.

If we are honest cartoonists, we should admit that at times throughout our careers, each with our own style, we have found ourselves realizing the same graphic ideas that other colleagues had. Sometimes at the same time, when working with newspapers and on current affairs.

So I would ask all colleagues to be careful about crying scandal and plagiarism... because you risk accusing those who have worked in a way that may not be original, but is honest.

 

2) I have participated in many competitions. I've won, but I've also been rejected. I've never accused anyone of not choosing my work. When you enter a competition, you implicitly accept the rules and the jury's decision.

I've also served on many juries: the selection process is collective and demanding. It's often unpaid and often the source of unpleasant criticism. The results of a jury's work are the fruit of discussion, voting, reflection, experience, and fairness. Only once have I resigned in disagreement with the organizers because the jury's selection procedures didn't meet criteria of fairness and transparency. Only once in over 20 years!

Therefore, I urge caution when accusing juries of lacking competence or honesty.

 

3) Finally, the organizers.

It's a profession so endangered that I don't understand this excessive fury against those who fight to give the world of cartoons the importance and respect they deserve. Suggestions for improvement are welcome, as are constructive criticism! But for a week now, I've been witnessing unjustified public and private attacks.

The WPC has been trying for years to reward cartoonists who commit themselves to this profession. With the newspaper crisis and the advent of AI, we've lost professions and space in newspapers (those that still exist). Many competitions no longer exist, and many festivals struggle to find the financial support to continue their work.

The WPC returns after two years, amidst a thousand struggles and uncertainties, after having changed venues four times throughout its history, with the sole purpose of defending the value of cartoons, caricatures, and gag cartoons.

The organizers have created a magnificent exhibition, showcasing the cartoonists' work, and have published an equally prestigious catalog. Now, after all this effort, why is the WPC being attacked so disproportionately and undeservedly? I repeat, the criticism and advice are appreciated, but the insults and accusations are incomprehensible.

Therefore, I will not join the chorus of my polemical colleagues.

I want to express my fullest and clear solidarity with the WPC, represented by Antonio, a friend and an unparalleled cartoonist, and with the 2025 Jury. I am confident that the next edition will be even better, and that useful suggestions will be taken into account to foster even better evaluation and selection.

I hope others will join me in supporting your meritorious work of defending and promoting this profession.

Thanks World Press Cartoon, thanks Antonio Antunes.

Cartoonist Marilena Nardi