"Khalid Albaih: The Creative Resistance in Sudan"
In a world where voices are often silenced, Khalid Albaih, also known as Khartoon, emerges as a symbol of creative resistance. Born in Sudan and raised in the Sudanese diaspora in Doha, Qatar, Albaih's journey from a young artist to a renowned political cartoonist is a testament to the power of art as a tool for change.
From Artistic Dreams to Political Awakening
Growing up, Albaih faced the challenge of being the youngest with a significant age gap from his older brother, leading to a somewhat solitary childhood. However, this solitude became the canvas for his imagination to flourish. His early passion for drawing, nurtured by his love for comics, would eventually become a form of political resistance.
Despite his artistic ambitions, Albaih had to navigate societal expectations that urged him to become an engineer or doctor rather than an artist. This pressure was common in many households, but his parents' political activism added a unique layer of complexity. Albaih's family had fled Sudan due to political turmoil, which his parents had actively participated in, albeit sheltering him from the harsh realities.
Satire as a Common Language
Albaih's school in Doha, Qatar, was a melting pot of nationalities, all brought together by political turmoil in their home countries. What they had in common was their ability to find solace and resistance through satire and humor. These young minds cracked jokes about their political leaders, offering a unique way to cope with displacement and political strife.
Albaih's exposure to political cartoons from his father's library showed him how artists could push boundaries in a clever and creative way. Art became a way to process political rage, channeling it into expressions of dreams and nightmares.
The Birth of Khartoon
As he grew into a professional political cartoonist, Albaih adopted the moniker "Khartoon," a clever play on words combining "cartoon" and "Khartoum," the capital of Sudan. His political cartoons gained international recognition, appearing in prestigious publications such as The Guardian, The Atlantic, and Al Jazeera.
Albaih's impact reached its peak in 2016 when he drew a powerful cartoon of Colin Kaepernick, the American football player known for his protest against the national anthem by kneeling. In the cartoon, Albaih shaped Kaepernick's afro into a black fist, echoing the iconic protest gestures of athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics.
Beyond Political Cartoons: Sudan Retold and Building Libraries
Despite his success, Albaih felt a creative block that led to depression. A transformative experience in Denmark helped him break through this block, but it also made him realize the importance of libraries as creative hubs.
In response to the lack of libraries in Sudan, Albaih embarked on the ambitious project of creating a graphic novel called "Sudan Retold." This project aimed to tell Sudan's story through the eyes of artists, transcending politics and highlighting the country's identity, culture, and traditions.
Additionally, Albaih's vision extends to building a library in Sudan, a venture he believes is crucial for providing a space where young people can find solace, knowledge, and an outlet for their frustrations.
Art as Creative Resistance
In the eyes of Khalid Albaih, all his work is an act of creative resistance. His journey from a young artist to a renowned political cartoonist and his ongoing efforts to establish libraries in Sudan exemplify the transformative power of creativity. Albaih's story serves as a reminder that art is not a privilege but a fundamental tool for change, and it has the potential to inspire movements that can reshape societies and empower voices that have long been silenced.