Patrick Chappatte (known simply as Chappatte, born 1967 in Karachi, Pakistan) is a Lebanese-Swiss cartoonist who draws for Le Temps, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (Sunday edition), the German news magazine Der Spiegel and the International New York Times. Born to a Lebanese mother and a Swiss father he was raised in Singapore and Switzerland.
He also worked as an illustrator for the New York Times and as a cartoonist for Newsweek. Many of his cartoons reflect events in Swiss and international news, such as the 9/11attacks, the rise of the Swiss People’s Party, and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Chappatte lives between Los Angeles and Geneva.
| Patrick Chappatte | |
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| Biography | |
| Full Name: | Patrick Chappatte |
| Date of Birth: | February 22, 1967 |
| Place of Birth: | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Nationality: | Lebanese-Swiss |
| Career | |
| Notable Works: Le Temps, NZZ am Sonntag, Der Spiegel, The New York Times International Edition, Le Canard enchaîné, Newsweek | |
| Editorial Cartoonist for: The New York Times International Edition, Der Spiegel, Le Canard enchaîné | |
| Illustrator for: The New York Times | |
| Location: Los Angeles and Geneva | |
| Notable Projects | |
| Patrick Chappatte’s work includes editorial cartoons, graphic journalism, and animated documentaries. He has contributed to international publications and covered significant global events. | |
| Awards | |
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| Bibliography (English) | |
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Patrick Chappatte Personal life
“Mr. Chappatte was born in 1967 in Karachi, Pakistan to a Lebanese-born mother and a Swiss father. He was raised in Singapore and Geneva and lived in New York and Los Angeles. Spouse: Anne-Frédérique Widmann He is now based in Geneva with his wife and their three sons.”
Professional life
“Since 1995, Chappatte has worked in graphic journalism, or comics journalism, a genre of reporting using the techniques of graphic novels. His most recent stories covered the war in Gaza (2009), the slums of Nairobi (2010) and gang violence in Central America (2012). These reports were published in several newspapers, including the New York Times; one was turned into a short animated documentary in 2011.”
Editorial cartoons
“Patrick Chappatte draws a twice-weekly cartoon in the Opinion section of The International New York Times, formerly known as the International Herald Tribune, which has published his work since 2001. His cartoons are featured on the newspaper’s website. Over the years, he has collaborated with editorial cartoonists in conflict-ridden countries with the goal of promoting dialogue through cartooning.
These projects focused on Serbia, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Kenya, and Guatemala. He described the work in a TED talk in 2010. In 2011 and 2015, Chappatte won the Overseas Press Club of America’s Thomas Nast Award for the best cartoons on international affairs. He is the only non-American to have won this prize.”
Animated documentary
“Patrick Chappatte went to southern Lebanon in 2009, where people still live with the threat of actual time bombs, in the form of cluster-munition bomblets. While there, the editorial cartoonist created a report in comic-book format: Death in the Field. The report was released in 2011 as an animated documentary. It was aired on Swiss and French TV, toured documentary festivals, and won an award in Australia.
Chappatte said the process of creating the documentary was both a personal and professional endeavor. “I have a Swiss father and a Lebanese mother, so I wanted to better understand the problems that the people of Lebanon are still facing, long after the fighting stopped,” he said. “I also wanted to use my craft as a cartoonist, my experience as a journalist and my sense of satire to create a new kind of prism through which to view forgotten conflicts and a new technique for revealing the humanity behind the story.”
“He also co-founded with French cartoonist Plantu the Geneva-based “Cartooning for Peace” foundation, inspired by Kofi Annan, who was the organization’s honorary chairman until his death in August 2018. Every two years, the Swiss foundation awards an international prize recognizing a cartoonist for both his talent and his courage. In September 2016, it organized a Beethoven symphony in cartoons in the Geneva concert hall.”
Patrick Chappatte Books in English
- Stress Test, Globe Cartoon/IHT, 2012
- Signs of recovery, Globe Cartoon/IHT, 2010
- Partly cloudy, Globe Cartoon/IHT, 2008
- Globalized, Globe Cartoon/IHT, 2007
- Another world, Globe Cartoon/IHT, 2004
FAQs about Patrick Chappatte
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Patrick Chappatte:
Q: Who is Patrick Chappatte?
A: Patrick Chappatte is a renowned Swiss political cartoonist and visual journalist.
Q: What is Patrick Chappatte known for?
A: Patrick Chappatte is known for his powerful and thought-provoking political cartoons that tackle global issues, including war, human rights, and social justice.
Q: Where is Patrick Chappatte from?
A: Patrick Chappatte was born in Pakistan in 1967 but holds Swiss citizenship.
Q: What are some notable works or publications by Patrick Chappatte?
A: Patrick Chappatte’s cartoons have been published in major international newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, and Le Temps. He has also collaborated on graphic novels like “De Guerre, Guerreve et de paix” (Of War, Truce, and Peace).
Q: Has Patrick Chappatte received any awards or recognition for his work?
A: Patrick Chappatte has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to political cartooning and journalism, including the 2011 Thomas Nast Prize and the 2019 Geneva Foundation for Human Rights Award.
Q: How would you describe Patrick Chappatte’s artistic style?
A: Patrick Chappatte’s artistic style is characterized by its sharp wit, expressive characters, and bold use of visual metaphors. His cartoons often convey complex ideas with simplicity and impact.
A: Patrick Chappatte addresses various political and social topics in his cartoons. His work covers terrorism, conflicts, refugee crises, human rights, and freedom of speech.
Q: Has Patrick Chappatte faced any controversies or censorship due to his cartoons?
A: Some of Patrick Chappatte’s cartoons have sparked controversies and drawn criticism from various quarters. In certain instances, his work has been subjected to censorship or deemed controversial by those who disagree with the viewpoints expressed in his art.
Q: Apart from political cartoons, does Patrick Chappatte engage in other visual journalism forms?
A: Yes, in addition to political cartoons, Patrick Chappatte has also explored other forms of visual journalism, including live sketching at conferences and events, as well as multimedia projects combining illustration, animation, and storytelling.
Q: Where can I find more information about Patrick Chappatte and his work?
A: Additional information about Patrick Chappatte can be found on his official website, where you can explore his portfolio, read interviews and articles about his career, and stay updated on his latest projects. His work is also widely available in various books, newspapers, and online publications.
