Patrick Chappatte

The New York Times stopped publishing editorial cartoons in 2019, and that may have been a bit premature. We need biting political humor and – more importantly – democratic freedom – now more than ever. Award-winning editorial cartoonist Patrick Chappatte continues to influence and inspire with the power of his pen.

He’s a pioneer in the unique field of graphic journalism, or “comics reportage,” publishing more than 30 stories ranging from the condition of the slums in Nairobi to the threat of gangs in Guatemala. Other subjects he fearlessly tackles include U.S. death rows and the COVID-19 pandemic. Chappatte currently illustrates the state (and absurdity) of the world for such diverse pubs as Der Spiegel (Germany), Neue Zurcher Zeitung (Switzerland), Le Canard (France), and The Boston Globe (The United States).

He can speak to your audience about why editorial viewpoints matter – a cause he has championed and helped define for over 30 years. He’ll share his opinion on opinions, and how being an advocate for free expression can empower your attendees. He’s spoken at the World Economic Forum, TED events, and New York Times conferences. A three-time recipient of The Best Cartoonist Award from the Overseas Press Club of America, Chappatte embellishes his intimate talks with amusing, thought-provoking cartoons and animations. He’ll stir your audience with such heated topics as politics, economics, environmental issues, and human rights and how they can be addressed with farcical conviction. He can relate to audiences of all ages, even those who were not raised reading newspaper editorial cartoons: he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and received an honorary doctorate from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in 2022.

“We need humor like we need the air we breathe,” Chappatte says. “Political cartoons were born with democracy, and they are challenged when freedom is.”

After stays in New York and Los Angeles, Chappatte currently lives and works in Geneva, Switzerland.