Barry Blitt | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1958-04-30)April 30, 1958 (age 66) Côte Saint-Luc,Quebec, Canada |
| Education | Ontario College of Art and Design |
| Known for | Illustrator,cartoonist |
| Spouse | Angie Silverstein |
Barry Blitt (born April 30, 1958 inCôte Saint-Luc, Quebec) is a Canadian-born American cartoonist and illustrator, best known for hisNew Yorker covers and as a regular contributor to theop-ed page ofThe New York Times. Blitt creates his works in traditional pen and ink, as well aswatercolors.
Blitt grew up inCôte Saint-Luc, Quebec, a municipality on theIsland of Montreal.[1] The artist's first publication credit came at age 16: a series of drawings in thePhiladelphia Flyers 1974 yearbook.[2] He graduated from TheOntario College of Art and Design in 1982[3] and moved to the US in 1989.[4]
Blitt first began drawing political cartoons at the Toronto Magazine. He worked for ten years atEntertainment Weekly drawing half-page celebrity cartoons.[3]
In 1993 Blitt began contributing toThe New Yorker,[5][6] Blitt's illustration work has also been featured by publications such asVanity Fair,[7]Rolling Stone,The Atlantic and others.[8]
The artist is also well known for illustratingFrank Rich's Sundayop-ed column inThe New York Times.[8] Regarding that work, Rich is quoted as saying, "It's a long-distance collaboration – me in New York City, Barry in Connecticut – but one of the most satisfying I've had in my career."[2]
Many of Blitt'sNew Yorker covers have been finalists for the Cover of the Year from theAmerican Society of Magazine Editors, including, in 2008,Narrow Stance andI'll Get It!,First Anniversary in 2010, andThe Book of Life in 2012.[5]
Blitt is also credited with animation design bySaturday Night Live[9] Since 2018, Blitt has been designing the program covers for Hunter Theater Project's productions, beginning with Richard Nelson's translation ofAnton Chekhov'sUncle Vanya.
Blitt won the 2020Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartoons "for his watercolor style and gentle caricatures of the personalities and policies that come from the Trump White House."[10][6]
Other awards and honors Blitt has received include:
Blitt's 2008New Yorker cover depictingMichelle andBarack Obama standing in theOval Office was labeled "tasteless and offensive" by Obama campaign spokesmanBill Burton. A campaign spokesman forSenator John McCain also condemned the art.[13] In the cover art, Obama is shown wearing traditional Muslim clothes, including sandals, robe, and turban. His wife Michelle is shown dressed in camouflage,combat boots and has anassault rifle over her shoulder. Behind them, an American flag is burning in the fireplace.[14] TitledThe Politics of Fear, the cover satirized the rumors about Obama and his wife as he ran for the presidency.[15]
The controversial art was covered by numerous media outlets, including theLos Angeles Times,[16] PBS,[13] theHouston Chronicle,[17] and others. In defense of the art, Eric Bates ofRolling Stone was quoted as saying, "I don't think it (The New Yorker) crossed the line. I would question whether there's much of a line to be crossed. I think their intent was clear, but I think it's clear from the response that a lot of people didn't get the joke."[13]The New York Times called it the most memorable image of the 2008 presidential campaign, andFrançoise Mouly, the Art Editor of theNew Yorker, said she was "extremely proud" of the piece.[18] Regarding the controversy, Blitt was quoted as saying "Anytime I produce a cover, I always regret it afterward".[19]
The cover art was parodied later the same year byEntertainment Weekly, with a photograph by Jake Chessum featuringJon Stewart andStephen Colbert.[20]
In spite of the controversy and condemnation by the Obama campaign, after taking office President Barack Obama chose one of Blitt'sNew Yorker covers to hang in the White House. The cover depicts the President picking the family dog at the same time as he is vetting candidates for his national security cabinet.[4] Additionally, President Obama requested and received a signedNew Yorker cover by the artist, which depicts the President walking on water.[21]
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Blitt currently resides in Connecticut[8] His younger brother,Ricky Blitt, is a screenwriter, based in West Hollywood.[1]
Blitt is married to Angie Silverstein.
Previously the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning from 1922–2022 | ||
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