Kianoush Ramezani is a multi-award-winning Iranian editorial cartoonist, author, and activist who has been living and working in Europe since 2009.
He obtained political asylum in 2010 and is a refugee protected by France. His life’s work is centered on the defense of freedom of expression through both artistic and public engagement.
Artistic Philosophy: Art as ActivismKianoush describes his creative process as an observation of society and human interactions through philosophical, political, and instinctive lenses. He seeks to provoke society, reminding it to act and react to the world around it. For Kianoush, "Art is my activism, and my activism is my life," and he views freedom of expression as a fundamental human right that serves as his deepest motivation for creating art, video works, and lectures.
He aims to showcase editorial drawing as a powerful contemporary art form that can interact with music, performance, and video.Professional Impact and Media PresenceSince 2019,
Kianoush has published a weekly column in the journal "La Croix" titled "Vu par Kianoush Ramezani". His editorial cartoons have been featured in prominent international media outlets, including Libération, Courrier International, The Guardian, Arte, Le1, and WeDemain. His illustrations have also been featured on the covers of prestigious magazines such as L’Express and Courrier International.
His artistic contributions are recognized internationally; for example, his series of original drawings, "R comme Résistance," is part of the permanent collection at the Kunst Museum Solingen in Germany.
Kianoush has received numerous high-profile awards for his work and his commitment to artistic courage:* International LiberPress Award, Spain (2022).* Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom Award (2020).* Artistic Courage Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival (2018).* International Press Cartoon Prize from the City of Geneva, presented by Kofi Annan (2012).
Kianoush is the founder and president of "United Sketches," a France-based international organization dedicated to promoting freedom of expression and supporting editorial cartoonists in exile. In 2020, he furthered this mission by initiating the first international press cartoon prize specifically for women. He has also served on various international juries, including the Interfilm Berlin international short film festival in 2015 and 2016.
Education and Public SpeakingA committed educator, Kianoush has been giving lectures at European high schools, colleges, and universities since 2010 to raise awareness among younger generations about the importance of free speech. In 2014, he delivered a TEDx talk titled "Cartooning: The Art of Danger" in The Hague, which highlighted the risks of his craft just months before the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Thank you!