The morning of January 7th, in Paris, France, twelve people were callously gunned down in the midst of an editorial meeting at the offices of satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo”. Among them were 5 cartoonists, whose work dismantled the social, cultural, and political status quo.
As an artist, in the wake of other aggressive attempts at censorship, it’s a difficult thing to comprehend. The volatility of our current landscape is heightened by displays like this, but their intention to silence criticism should only serve to create a real dialogue; we cannot be forced into fear. Art is a powerful weapon and, in an age when art can travel the world in moments, artists have true power to affect change.
Our hearts go out to those directly affected by this tragic act and we stand together as a community of artists in solidarity against censorship. Art cannot be silenced. As fragile as our bodies may be, we live on in our work.
We are Charb, Cabu, Wolinski, Tignous, and Honoré. We are “Charlie Hebdo.”
Credits (from left to right): Diana Roberts, Harantula, MedusaD, onebluebird, Zerobriant, Gaunty
Help us support the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) with a tee by artist Jim Mahfood (aka Food One).