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Osman Obaid

by | Dec 14, 2023

Artist Profile

Osman Obaid

Cartoonist

Sudan

Osman Obaid always had a love for drawing and emulating newspaper cartoons, but hadn’t considered himself a political cartoonist. However, it was only after he attended a cartoon exhibition at his university that he discovered his full potential and passion.

His friends urged him to showcase his own work in the exhibition. His cartoons addressed student concerns such as inadequate university services, unjust behavior from the administration, and the impact of political and ideological conflicts on student life. Despite missing the exhibition’s opening day, Obaid returned to find a visitor’s comment book filled with overwhelmingly positive feedback. His cartoons resonated with what students had long desired to express, and they urged him to persist in their name. Following this success, Obaid was asked to make his exhibition permanent at the university, unexpectedly launching his career as a political cartoonist. Ever since then, Obaid has passionately worked to convey visions of justice through his artwork.

Drawing for Justice

Born and raised in the small industrial city of Al Junayd, Obaid was exposed to national issues early on, including nationalism and inequality. In an interview with ARC, Obaid recognized that as the son of a working class family, he became acutely aware of tensions between the managing and working classes, which led him to contemplate the detrimental effects of corruption and reinforced his belief in the importance of worker’s rights.

“Conditions of International Justice.” Courtesy of the artist

The central theme across Obaid’s work is justice. His cartoons are employed as a means to shed light on oppression and hold those accountable in Sudan and the world. He believes democracy is a vehicle to attain political justice, asserting that true equality and justice have the potential to foster peace.

Obaid endeavors to reach young audiences and influence their perspectives on the world, inspiring them to strive for positive change. While he often considers specific audiences when creating his cartoons, he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of their reactions. Obaid noted, “The audience changes and the constant is my commitment to truth and rights.”

”Don’t Give Up.” Courtesy of the artist.

The cartoon “Don’t Give Up” is singled out by Obaid as his personal favorite and stands as a quintessential example of the artist’s commitment to change and the collective fight against injustice. In late 2018, as the mass protests that ultimately ousted Omar al-Bashir from power unfolded, the public feared that these protests might not yield substantial change, similar to past movements. In light of this pessimistic atmosphere, Obaid contemplated how he could contribute positively to the situation and leverage the power of his cartoons to address people’s fears and instill hope.

Diverging from drawings that critique abuses of power, the motivational tone of “Don’t Give Up” garnered an exceptional reception. Obaid was moved by the overwhelming response it generated, as the Sudanese public transformed the cartoon into an icon of the protests and rapidly disseminated it across social media just hours after its release.

”Al-Bashir and the Criminal Court” from "The Age of Salvation." Courtesy of the Artist

Obaid’s book, The Age of Salvation, documents ten years of his work under al-Bashir’s rule. The book derives its name from the period of Islamist rule, addressing hypocrisy and corruption within religious discourse. The cartoons criticize how Sudan’s leaders, such as al-Bashir, have built up their state at the expense of the Sudanese people, displaying contempt towards gender and racial equality. While some of these works found their way into publication, many were thwarted by strict censorship, both from the government and from the newspaper itself.

Cartoons and Censorship

“Newspaper Censorship of the Bashir Era.” Courtesy of the artist.

Since 2010, Obaid has collaborated with multiple Sudanese newspapers, reaching audiences through various mediums. During his time at Aljareeda alsudania newspaper, Obaid experienced a period of strict censorship where only two of his cartoons were published. Obaid’s editors made unauthorized alterations to his work in order to circumvent censorship regulations. Undeterred by these challenges, Obaid continued to adhere to his principles. He refused to accept the adjustments imposed on his work and filed a complaint, unwilling to compromise his artistic or political objectives – even when the impossibility of publishing under stringent censorship conditions forced him to leave his job.

Cartoonists now have the ability to circumvent censorship by establishing their own platforms on social media, allowing them to reach vast audiences independently. However, social media does not shield political cartoonists from the threats and anger that their work often provokes. As Obaid himself describes, “Sometimes we draw cartoons and shudder the moment we press the publish button.”

"Acceptance of Election Outcome." Courtesy of the artist.

Obaid has gained valuable insights into dealing with censorship and threats to his well-being. Artistic repression intensifies during periods of social unrest or internationally imposed sanctions, and Obaid has learned to anticipate potential persecution or violent reactions to his artworks before releasing them. Obaid emphasizes that artists should document any threats they receive on social media. He underscores the heightened danger when threats come from military officials or members of political parties. Corruption and the ongoing conflict has created a perilous environment where not even the police can guarantee effective protection for artists in such situations.

While he experienced first-hand the perils of Omar al-Bashir’s military rule on Sudanese artists’ freedom of expression, Obaid now warns that the current situation poses an even greater threat to artistic expression and the people of Sudan. In mid-April, conflict erupted in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. These two forces, formerly instrumental in the joint overthrow of the Sudanese transitional government in October 2021, are now engaged in intense fighting. Since the initial outbreak of hostilities, Sudan has witnessed a continuous wave of brutal violence. According to the latest report from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 6.6 million people have been displaced, and the death toll has exceeded 12,000 since mid-April. The situation remains dire, with widespread human suffering and displacement persisting since the fighting began.

Art as an Act of Resistance

"Crime Partners and Exchange of Charges." Courtesy of the artist.

Obaid views the current situation in Sudan as a profound tragedy. The devastation wrought by conflict, coupled with persistent restrictions on freedom of expression, has severely hampered artistic creativity. Nevertheless, Obaid maintains a strong belief in Sudan’s artistic community, asserting that with the right support, it has the potential to wield a significant social impact and contribute to the alleviation of tensions that underlie ongoing conflicts in Sudan. It is essential to support the numerous Sudanese artists using their artwork to advocate for their fellow citizens.

While some artists have managed to persist in their creative endeavors, others have fled Sudan. In his exile, Obaid attempts to maintain a  strong connection with his homeland, staying up to date on current events and actively engaging in relevant issues through social media or organized events. Despite these efforts, he cannot escape the sense of loss resulting from leaving behind his homeland, along with his family, friends and loved ones. “I escape from these hardships by spending more time following, interacting, and drawing for the sake of Sudan,” Obaid said.

The workshop with the Institute of Life and Peace. Courtesy of the artist.

Looking ahead, Obaid is committed to maintaining his involvement with Sudan through his artwork. In the past, Obaid organized a workshop and cartoon competition focused on the theme of peaceful coexistence, in partnership with the Institute of Life and Peace.

He looks forward to revitalizing a former project that involves employing Sudanese cartoonists who were forced to halt their work, and offering them the opportunity to freely create cartoons that address the current situation in Sudan. Obaid envisions this project as a gateway for Sudanese cartoonists to utilize their art for promoting values such as peace, tolerance, women’s rights, and transnational justice.

Despite the persistent challenges of harassment and persecution, Obaid maintains a deep faith in the power of political cartoons to effect social change, and trusts that artists know when and how to convey their messages of peace and justice.

Lucia Rodes, December 15, 2023. Lucia is a Free Expression Leadership Fellow at PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection. She holds a double BA in Political Science and Human Rights from Barnard College. She lives in New York City.

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