Syrian political cartoonist Ali Ferzat, shown earlier this month at the Oslo Freedom Forum, says pens have the power to topple dictators. The self-taught artist has mocked authority since he was a young boy.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
Syrian political cartoonist Ali Ferzat, shown earlier this month at the Oslo Freedom Forum, says pens have the power to topple dictators. The self-taught artist has mocked authority since he was a young boy.
BERIT ROALD/AFP/Getty Images)
Ferzat was attacked in Damascus in 2011. His hands were broken so that he wouldn't be able to draw again, he said. The cartoonist left the country to get needed medical treatment.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
Ferzat was attacked in Damascus in 2011. His hands were broken so that he wouldn't be able to draw again, he said. The cartoonist left the country to get needed medical treatment.
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The artist, who now lives outside Syria, protests the violence in April 2012. He remains optimistic about the torn nation's future.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
The artist, who now lives outside Syria, protests the violence in April 2012. He remains optimistic about the torn nation's future.
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images
Initially, Ferzat's cartoons depicted nameless people. Over time, he started drawing identifiable images of Syrian leaders to mock them directly.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
Initially, Ferzat's cartoons depicted nameless people. Over time, he started drawing identifiable images of Syrian leaders to mock them directly.
LUKE MACGREGOR/Reuters/Landov
Ferzat began drawing at a relatively young age. His cartoons have been published internationally. He's convinced he will return to his country one day.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
Ferzat began drawing at a relatively young age. His cartoons have been published internationally. He's convinced he will return to his country one day.
YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images
Ferzat said this image led to him being attacked in Syria in 2011. It shows Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad trying to hitchhike out of the country with Libya's former leader, Moammar Gadhafi.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
Ferzat said this image led to him being attacked in Syria in 2011. It shows Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad trying to hitchhike out of the country with Libya's former leader, Moammar Gadhafi.
John D. Sutter/CNN
Syrian artist Ali Farzat at an exhibition of his cartoon paintings. Protesters and rebels alike have carried printouts of his work.
Cartoonist stands up to Syrian regime —
Syrian artist Ali Farzat at an exhibition of his cartoon paintings. Protesters and rebels alike have carried printouts of his work.
RIM HADDAD/AFP/Getty Images