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*BenHeine:iconBenHeine:

Ben Heine  

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  • Male/Belgium
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  • Deviant since Aug 28, 2006, 5:47 AM
  • Subscribed until Nov 16, 2008, 8:27 AM
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Beijing2008, Find the Solution

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Interview with Ben Heine by Kathlyn Stone

Journal Entry: Thu Apr 3, 2008, 7:05 PM


Selection of recent creations (click to enlarge)


Longing_for_Freedom_by_BenHeine A_People_Divided_by_BenHeine

Decaf_Candidates___IOWA_TERROR_by_BenHeine Global_Warming_by_BenHeine Human_Rights_Violations_by_BenHeine

Democrats_Hunting_Democrats_by_BenHeine Che_Guevara__s_Message_by_BenHeine Apartheid_by_BenHeine

You__ve_Got_a_Choice_by_BenHeine Over_Consumption____by_BenHeine

Barack Obama, Martin Luther_King_by_ Ben Heine Vladimir_Putin_Dmitri_Medvedev_by_BenHeine

United_by_BenHeine




Also check out a selection of
cartoons I made in 2007
(click to see in big...)




Selection of cartoons by Ben Heine - 2007




Ben Heine_by_Cival Einstein




BEN HEINE, MASTER OF
THE ART OF RESISTANCE


By Kathlyn Stone (*)


Brussels, Belgium artist-activist Ben Heine makes powerful criticism through cartoons and illustrations. His work protesting imperialism and other human rights violations has an international following. The prolific and timely drawings range from dark and tough to sweet and tender. Artists in at least a half dozen countries have now drawn cartoons of him.

Heine's work, particularly that relating to the crisis in Gaza, came under the notice of thousands of U.S. bloggers last year after his diaries, along with a handful of others, were banned from Daily Kos for their pro-Palestinian slant. In a reaction that's become familiar, site members equated sympathy for Palestinians with being anti-Israel, or even anti-Jew, and Heine and others were given the boot.

On the bright side, the flap gave him a wider U.S. audience and solidified the radical artist's resolve. He is part of a fascinating brotherhood and sisterhood of journalists and artists that are networking all over the globe and fighting wars and imperialsm their way.

Interviewed recently by phone, Heine talked about why he chose to get involved in the Palestinian struggle and who inspires him.


Are you a full-time artist?

Yeah, I try. I do that as a free lancer. I do work for some Belgian publications, and some other international magazines.

One of the great things with the Internet is that it allows you to be published everywhere around the world.


A lot of your illustrations depict what is going on in Gaza. What led you to get involved in the Israel/Palestine issue?

Illustrations are a great way for activists to communicate information and help complete the purpose of an article. It's the way I choose to make people think and maybe change their behavior. Sometimes it works.

I focus especially on Palestine and Israel because I think it's one of the most important issues nowadays. I mean, several people die every week there, mostly Palestinians. I was really shocked by this a long time ago and decided to do something with my art.

Each time Israel attacks Palestine, I try to bring out a new drawing. I try to be fair and to bring the truth to people's eyes and also respect the ideas of writers who also want to convey the facts and the reality. The reality is that people are being oppressed by another people. Yes, I think that's one of the reasons I draw for Palestine.


Your drawings evoke emotions from sadness to outrage. Do you think that's what it takes to wake people up to the reality of the violence in the Middle East?

I think there is something in a drawing that's very different from a photo. There's a need with drawings to use symbols and other stuff like that to make people think in a different way. With a photo it would be easy just to show dead people which would shock people even more. With a drawing you can use symbols which is a very, very useful way of making people aware of a situation, and you can also make comparisons. I'm not sure if it's important to shock people. It's more important to make them think. And a drawing doesn't need to be realistic - - it needs to be symbolic, coherent, logical and respect reality.


Can an illustration be more effective than a photograph in some instances?

I absolutely agree with that. It's possible with illustrations to use symbols and also to add some personal opinion, which is not possible in photos. A photo is a transcription of one's opinion, but it's cold, it's without a frame, in a way. I think both photos and cartoons can be interpreted in the wrong way. They always need a word by the artist or a word by the author of an article which would explain the piece.


You have a unique style. Is there anyone that influenced you?

I'm not especially influenced by other illustrators but I'm inspired by other kinds of artists, singers, writers, novelists, photographers, anyone expressing what they think and denouncing things that are happening in the wrong way, according to them or the majority or minority of people somewhere. There is a British artist, Banksy, who has been a big inspiration in recent years and the [self-exiled Israeli] musician Gilad Atzmon.


Isn't there an illustration of Atzmon on your web site? You have a large gallery of illustrations and caricatures you've done of activists from around the world.

Yeah, I did Atzmon. I didn't do an illustration of Banksy because one of the popular mysteries of Banksy is that nobody knows his face. That's funny.

There is also an amazing blogger and a good friend, Steve Amsel (better known as
"DesertPeace"), who is writing every day about Palestine and Israel. Another who writes about this issue is Mary Rizzo. She has a blog called PeacePalestine. I met her a few weeks ago in Brussels. She was here to attend the International Citizen's Tribunal on Lebanon, February 22-24. It was to be a trial over what happened in the Lebanon War, but there was no Israeli representative. It was really sad. There were only Lebanese people from the Midd le East, but no Israeli representative. Because of that no one would accept what was said at the trial. [The tribunal found the Israeli state guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide for its 2006 war in Lebanon.]


Yes, well thanks for the time and for taking my call at this late hour (10:30 p.m. in Brussels).

No, it's really not that late. It's really a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with you. Excuse me for my French accent. It's terrible.


No, it's beautiful. It's great.

Okay. Have a good evening, and see you soon on the Web.



kathlyn+Stone+on+Ben+Heine's+Political+Art+Blog


(*) Kathlyn Stone is a Twin Cities, Minnesota-based independent journalist who has covered general news, and business, international trade, and health care news and policies for public and professional audiences since 1980.

She brings an insider’s understanding when covering government and politics, late-breaking science (especially that pertaining to neurological research), consumer health news, and public policy. In addition to years of newspaper and magazine reporting, she has worked in media relations and communications for national non-profits, a state legislature, the business sector, and government agencies. Through these experiences Stone has developed a healthy skepticism of politicians, public relations practitioners and media organizations that put profit before truth. Experts – often unsung heroes among government or corporate staff, scientific researchers or passionate activists — who speak truthfully and knowingly about an issue, are top sources.

Stone is also the publisher and editor of Flesh and Stone.


>>> This interview appeared on CounterPunch


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I also invite you to visit my blog,
updated everyday with political art :
Ben Heine-Cartoons

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Journal CSS made by MOUDAX for BenHeine

Devious Information

  • Current Age: 24
  • Current Residence: Brussels, Belgium
  • Interests: Cartooning, Painting, Illustrating
  • Favourite movie: A Space Odyssey (1968)
  • Favourite band or musician: Gilad Atzmon
  • Favourite genre of music: Jazz
  • Favourite artist: Andy Warhol
  • Favourite poet or writer: Mark Prime, Kristine Buenavista
  • Favourite photographer: Gyula Brassai
  • Favourite game: Chess
  • Favourite cartoon character: Donald
  • Personal Quote: "Don't wait too long!"
  • Tools of the Trade: Smile

Devious Comments

~cathmads:iconcathmads: 1 hour 14 minutes ago Mood: Joy
hi Ben, thank you for the fav on Fluffy, i really appreciate it
*Yoshiko-86:iconYoshiko-86: 4 hours ago
Hi Ben :wave: ThnX so much for the :+fav: Very much appriciated!
You've got a very nice galery!!

--
Clubs I'm in
The Doors
Emoticiety

Cobra on the left...Leopard on my right
~kaqt:iconkaqt: 6 hours 30 minutes ago
Thank you for all comments and favourites^^ : )
~saltytom:iconsaltytom: 6 hours 51 minutes ago
*Ahem* Thank you for the fav! I am the much obliged

--
"I've predicted a couple of things over the years. The kitchen fire of '97. The kitchen fire of '98. The arson conviction of Luis the Fry Cook. And of course, the eventual termination of the hospital's "Convicts-to-Cooks" program." -Janitor
~torturedcanvas:icontorturedcanvas: 8 hours 1 minute ago
You have a wonderful gallery here!

--
-life is a walking contradiction-
*orcaartist:iconorcaartist: 8 hours 3 minutes ago
Thank you for the :+fav:!

Awesome works of art you have!
~wellwornwings:iconwellwornwings: 8 hours 3 minutes ago
thank you! <3 your gallery is great!
~surunkeiju:iconsurunkeiju: 8 hours 9 minutes ago
THANKS FOR THE FAVE! ;)

--
Visit Us!! [link] Druidezas!
~keiva-som-ko:iconkeiva-som-ko: 8 hours 13 minutes ago
I'm glad you like my art. ^^ It makes me feel special that someone of your age actually took the time to look at my work. >.< thank you, and your art is amazing, by the way. ^^

--
Cow :heart: Fish
~RustedStrings:iconRustedStrings: 8 hours 14 minutes ago
Thanks a lot for the favorite on the Banjo Player :)
~m4g1c4lm3-photo:iconm4g1c4lm3-photo: 8 hours 15 minutes ago
thank you for the favorite :tea:
~TheOracleDragon:iconTheOracleDragon: 8 hours 19 minutes ago
thanks for faving, ^_^

--
I'm Oracle. The Creator's first creation. I had a hand in creation and I will see it to the end. Many seek my advice and I give it freely, so if you have a question ask me.
~keiva-som-ko:iconkeiva-som-ko: 8 hours 22 minutes ago
thanks for the watch!

--
Cow :heart: Fish
~BulldogCountryPhoto:iconBulldogCountryPhoto: 8 hours 22 minutes ago Mood: Joy
Thank you for the fav!

-Mike
~Kovitlac:iconKovitlac: 8 hours 22 minutes ago
Thank you so much for adding Atmosphere to your faves :heart:

--
"Silence fills the empty grave now that I have gone. But my mind is not at rest, for questions linger on. I will ask, and you will answer."
*PeterGeo:iconPeterGeo: 8 hours 23 minutes ago
Thanks for the Fav on [link]

--
:spotlight-left: Check Out My Gallery [link] :spotlight-right:
~dragnahawk:icondragnahawk: 8 hours 25 minutes ago
thanks for the fav

--
im sorry but do u hear the same voices in my head saying:
the power of the heart, the power of the soul , are two but one...... which do u use the most?
~Aiest:iconAiest: 8 hours 27 minutes ago
haha you favourited a work of mine that i submitted only for my assignment XD thanks anyway. I love your works! Because, I like Andy Warhol too ^^
~Checkerboard-Chan:iconCheckerboard-Chan: 8 hours 29 minutes ago
Thanks for the fav+ :heart: .

Means a lot coming from such talent. :]

--
You should see me walk... ;D
~Edrasteia:iconEdrasteia: 9 hours 12 minutes ago
Wow, thanks so much for the :+fav: Cheers! :ahoy:

--
drop a heart, break a name.
amanda davis ; random deviant
=alexilaiho2009:iconalexilaiho2009: 9 hours 17 minutes ago
thanks for the fav :heart:

--
"Wir wollten nur reden, Und jetzt liegst du hier. Und ich lieg daneben, Reden, Reden."

Mein Engel Bill Kaulitz :heart::heart::heart:
~adamda:iconadamda: 9 hours 28 minutes ago
Thanks for the watch and favs!
~Chibirobokitti:iconChibirobokitti: 10 hours 3 minutes ago
Thankyou for the fave!

--
A A
>!!<
(o o)S Today is also Today <3
*Ki-Witch:iconKi-Witch: 10 hours 30 minutes ago Mood: Love
OMG!
You exceeded the faving EVERYTHING I've seen!
Thank you do much for your gentile support! :hug:

--
Karitza