Book Launch

Melukis Dengan Hati documents the 50-year artistic journey of Zunar, a political cartoonist, from his first cartoon published in Bambino magazine in 1976 to the present day. Written based on his notes and collection of materials, the book takes readers through four significant eras of his career: his school days, the Gila-Gila/Berita Harian years, Reformasi and Malaysiakini, and finally, the 1MDB era.

In this book, Zunar reveals the numerous challenges he faced as a cartoonist—banned books, arrests, court cases, and travel bans. And yet his courage earned him international awards and accolades such as the ‘Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award 2011’ by Cartoonists Rights Network International, Washington; the ‘Cartooning for Peace Award 2016’ in Geneva, presented by Kofi Annan; and the ‘International Press Freedom Award 2015’ by the Committee to Protect Journalists based in New York. 

He has held art exhibitions in Bilbao, Spain; University of Louisville, Kentucky USA; British Cartoon Museum, Malmo (Sweden), Lac Leman, Geneva, and the City of Morges in Switzerland.

Organised in a chronological manner, each chapter in the book is supported by carefully selected photographs and cartoons to engage readers. In one chapter, Zunar shares his cartooning philosophy: ‘Talent is Not a Gift, But a Responsibility’ and ‘How Can I Be Neutral? Even My Pen Has a Stand’. He also explains his cartoon techniques and the inspiration behind each cartoon.  

Melukis Dengan Hati is his labour of love for Malaysia and serves as an excellent reference book for young artists, undergraduates, law students, and the general public. 

Buku ini adalah dokumentasi lengkap perjalanan seni kartunis Zunar selama lebih 50 tahun, bermula sejak kali pertama lukisannya disiar dalam majalah Bambino 1976. Ia melewati empat era - iaitu alam sekolah, era Gila-Gila/Berita Harian, era Reformasi, Era Malaysiakini dan sehinggalah era 1MDB.

Ia ditulis sendiri oleh Zunar berdasarkan catatan-catatan dan dukomentasi yang beliau kumpul sepanjang tempoh itu.

Ia dipersembahkan secara kronologi yang turut merakam cabaran-cabaran yang Zunar hadapi sebagai kartunis seperti pengharaman buku, penangkapan dan pendakwaan serta travel ban.

Juga dicatat pencapaian Zunar di luar negara dengan anugerah seperti Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award 2011, by Cartoonists Rights Network International Washington; Cartooning For Peace Award 2016, Geneva (presented by Kofi Annan); International Press Freedom Award by The Committee to Protect Journalist New York 2015 dan beberapa lagi.

Juga direkod pameran-pameran beliau di luar negara seperti di Bilbao, Spain; University of Louisville, Kentucky USA; British Cartoon Museum, Malmo (Sweden), Lac Leman, Geneva, dan City of Morges di Switzerland.

Di dalam buku ini juga disertakan satu bab mengenai falsafah Zunar dalam berkartun seperti "Bakat Bukan Anugerah, Tapi Sebuah Tanggungjawab" dan "How Can I be Neutral, Even my Pen Has a Stand."

Juga turut dijelaskan bagaimana kaedah lukisan kartun Zunar dilakukan dan apa yang tersimpan di hati beliau ketika melukis. Setiap bab disertakan dengan lukisan-lukisan kartun serta gambar-gambar berkenaan.

Buku ini dihasilkan oleh Zunar dengan tekad untuk bersama-sama membangun negara tercinta, Malaysia.

Ia amat sesuai dijadikan bahan rujukan kepada pelukis-pelukis muda, mahasiswa, peminat seni, pelajar undang-undang, golongan profesional dan masyarakat secara amnya.