Kaktus Cartoon Award:
The International Cartoon Award – initiated by the School of Disobedience (Schule des Ungehorsams) and Haslinger / Nagele Rechtsanwälte – is awarded to international cartoonists who critically and humorously engage with our society.
Following its successful launch in 2023 on the theme of climate change and climate justice – with nearly 1,600 submissions from over 500 artists across more than 80 countries – and the accompanying exhibition that has since been touring Austria and Germany, the award now continues.
Cartoons are a powerful and effective medium for highlighting political and social issues. Their visual format allows for quick understanding, presenting complex topics with clarity and a critical edge. Through exaggerated and humorous depictions, they can also entertain.
With the Kaktus Cartoon Award, we aim to promote and celebrate this art form.
Kaktus Cartoon Award 2023 - Climate Change & Climate Justice
The first Kaktus Cartoon Award in 2023 focused on the theme CLIMATE CHANGE & CLIMATE JUSTICE. The traces of climate change can be seen everywhere – locally and globally. It is high time we change our behavior to avert the worst. Cartoons can make a compelling contribution by revealing and clarifying grievances, and by inspiring new ideas and solutions.
As part of the Kaktus Cartoon Award, a special prize in the category "Cartoon & Law" was awarded by Haslinger / Nagele Rechtsanwälte. This special prize addressed the issue of climate justice. Who are the main contributors to climate change? Who are the ones suffering the consequences? Does the law support or hinder the necessary transformation? Do protests have an impact? What do they achieve? Is there justice in this?
Cartoonists from all over the world were invited to submit their best works on these two topics. The Winners of the Kaktus Cartoon Award 2023: (1. Prize: 2.500 €; 2. Prize: 1.500 €; 3. Prize: 1.000 €; Special Prize: 2.500 €) 1. Prize Kaktus Climate Change: „Sinking Ship" von Michi Brezel 2. Prize Kaktus Climate Change: „Man and Nature" von Agim Sulaj 3. Prize Kaktus Climate Change: „Fridays for Future" von Til Mette
Special Prize Kaktus Climate Justice: Marian Kamensky
WHO IS BEHIND THE AWARD
The School of Disobedience:
The School of Disobedience is a non-profit association founded by cartoonist Gerhard Haderer. Its mission is to encourage people to question traditional concepts and develop new solutions—based on knowledge, curiosity, and critical thinking.
Among its tools, the art of cartooning plays a central role: it serves to inspire, motivate, and communicate complex topics in a humorous and accessible way. Cartoons are a vital means of sparking debate and encouraging fresh perspectives in our society.
Cartoonists tirelessly challenge dominant narratives—often under difficult conditions. These “heroes of disobedience” deserve recognition and visibility.
In this spirit, the School of Disobedience actively promotes this significant art form and its creators, raises awareness of their work, and highlights the often-precarious conditions cartoonists face around the world.
“Cartoons can make a vital contribution to public discourse, as they have the power to distort the absurdities of politics and society until they become recognizable. Long live the Kaktus!” — Gerhard Haderer, cartoonist and founder of the School of Disobedience
Haslinger / Nagele Rechtsanwälte:
Haslinger / Nagele Attorneys at Law GmbH With 30 lawyers and around 130 employees across two offices in Linz and Vienna, Haslinger / Nagele is one of Austria’s leading law firms. Founded in 1955, the firm covers all areas of business law, including white-collar criminal law. www.haslinger-nagele.com
“Cartoon and law exist in a tension-filled relationship: Cartoons explore the boundaries of freedom of expression and artistic freedom—pushing right up to the edge of what the law allows. They challenge the law, yet also depend on its protection in order to fully realize their—and our—freedom.” — Dr. Wilhelm Bergthaler, Haslinger / Nagele Attorneys at Law
With kind support from:
OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH We would like to thank OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH for their kind support in making the award ceremony and the subsequent exhibition at the Schlossmuseum Linz possible, as well as for supporting the panel discussions.
“Especially in challenging times, it is important to recognize artistic achievements that critically examine current conditions while still managing to entertain. As OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH, we are pleased to support a cartoon award that is committed to fostering social discourse.” Alfred Weidinger, Geschäftsführer OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH
Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz We would like to thank the faculty for their kind support.
and:
Moviemento Linz
Botanischer Garten der Stadt Linz
Time's Up
Papplab GmbH
Verein Klima-Modellregionen Österreich
Cartooning for Peace, Paris
Museum Arbeitswelt Steyr
Wilhelm Busch Museum Hannover
Cartoonmovement, Amsterdam
Caricatura Museum Frankfurt
Caricatura Galerie Kassel
Karikaturmuseum Krems Cartoon Gallery, Slovenia Cartoonlobby, Berlin Clin d'Oeil Films, Belgien
