Hong Kong elections showed 'great spirit', says dissident artist
COMBO: This combo shows a file photo (R) taken on June 12, 2019 of Hong Kong police officers using a water canon on a lone protestor near the government headquarters during recent protests; and a handout (L) released to AFP on June 24, 2019 of artwork from Australia-based Chinese dissident artist Badiucao based on the same AFP image. Photo by Anthony WALLACE and Handout / various sources / AFP
BERLIN, Germany – Victory in community-level elections in Hong Kong showed the "great spirit" of the pro-democracy movement, according to a Chinese dissident cartoonist whose work has been a feature of the protests.
"The result is extraordinary," Badiucao told reporters on Monday, November 25, during a visit to Berlin where he exhibited some of his politically satirical art in German MP Gyde Jensen's office.
The election showed Hong Kongers were not just fighting for democracy but "also practicing it".
"I think that great spirit was shown.... That's how powerful democracy is," said Badiucao, adding that the protests were "a source of hope" for China as a whole.
Badiucao originally comes from Shanghai but is now based in Australia. He says he cannot return to China as he and his family on the mainland have received threats because of his work.
He has been compared to Banksy and, like the British street artist, previously also worked in anonymity until he revealed his identity earlier this year.
One of his most popular cartoons is based on an AFP photograph of a lone protester in a yellow poncho getting hit by pepper spray or water from police.
Another shows the character of Winnie the Pooh, which he uses as a mocking portrayal of Chinese President Xi Jinping, being crushed by a falling Berlin Wall.
In one cartoon, Hong Kong's deeply unpopular leader Carrie Lam is depicted crying crocodile tears.
Lam on Monday vowed to "listen humbly" to voters after the pro-democracy camp scored a crushing victory in elections that revealed broad public support for the protest movement that has stirred months of violence.
Badiucao said protest art like his own had helped inspire protesters by showing Hong Kongers that politicians could be criticized and by providing some relief in an increasingly volatile situation.
"I think not just my art but also other artists' work serve in a way to comfort people's mind – give it even just a window to breathe – in a very short moment and they can jump out from this devastating situation," he said. – Rappler.com
