And so, it's always amazing how many different ways people can reflect that, it's a very powerful art form.” Isaiah Colbert thinks a good political cartoon “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” By that, he means a cartoon stands out in how it calls out events in an either exaggerated or blunt portrayal of events. So, there were several cartoons that were beautifully illustrated, but ultimately the craftsmanship was not as important as the clarity of communication.” Reflecting on the impact this year has had on the student artists’, Jim Rohn, associate professor of Interactive Arts and Media Associate Professor shared this observation, “Political cartoons are a visual representation of what students are really thinking about. The Theatre Department’s Assistant Professor Grace Overbeke added, “with a political cartoon, you're trying to say so much with an image, usually very few words, and so it can be difficult to convey a message that is clear and understandable and not so open to interpretation that the meaning gets lost. The cartoons came from a genuine and deep place, and you could feel the emotional and personal connection that the artists had for the issues they were depicting.” Gabriela Díaz de Sabatés, who is an assistant professor of Humanities, History and Social Sciences, said the judges looked for clarity, complexity of ideas expressed, simplicity and effectiveness in this year’s cartoon submissions. “There has been so much at stake for our country, our planet, for the last year. “I thought these were some of the most poignant submissions I’ve ever seen,” said contest judge Ivan Brunetti, associate professor of illustration. This year’s submissions by Columbia students have reflected on current events and with themes focusing on racial and gender inequality, politics, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now in its 19th year, the contest offers Columbia College Chicago students the opportunity to make political and social statements, demonstrate their artistic skills, and showcase their analytical abilities.
Winners of the 2021 Paula Pfeffer and Cheryl Johnson-Odim Political Cartoon Contest have been announced. Humanities, History and Social Sciences.