November 13-19, 2003

artpicks

"Patriot Art"

by Karen Williams

art

They may make you smirk, but they’re inked for more than just amusement. Sharp, critical and often ironic, political cartoons present a "voice" that often threatens the foundation of corporations, government agencies, policies and political parties.

"Cartoons can be forms of instant "parables’ to put a complex topic into perspective, to make them understandable by almost anyone," says political cartoonist John Jonik. "Sometimes you have to draw folks a picture to explain this backwards situation. Some cartoonists do that."

Jonik is curator of "Patriot Art," a touring exhibit of cartoons that daringly present critical, non-mainstream views about U.S. policies post 9/11, with emphasis on the U.S. Patriot Act. Because many of the cartoons deal with freedom of speech and censorship, it’s appropriate that the show’s at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Approximately 50 political cartoonists from the United States, Mexico and Canada have work in the show. Six of the cartoonists are local -- Signe Wilkinson (Daily News), Vance Lehmkuhl (erstwhile of City Paper’s How-to Harry), Barrie Maguire, Tony Auth (Inquirer), Aaron McGruder (Boondocks), John Overmyer and Jonik, as well as national artists and CP contributors Ted Rall and Tom Tomorrow.

In conjunction with the show, the White Dog Cafe will present "Patriot Act: Security and Freedom after 9/11," a Table Talk dinner with civil rights attorney David Kairys and City Councilman Angel Ortiz, and an optional pre-dinner guided tour of the exhibit at the library.

"Patriot Art," Mon., Nov. 17, through Jan. 2, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5428.

"Patriot Act: Security and Freedom After 9/11," Mon., Nov. 17, pre-dinner tour of exhibit, 4:30 p.m., free; dinner, 6 p.m., $35; discussion, 7:30 p.m., free (if not sold out by 4 p.m. that day), White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom St., 215-386-9224.

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