The 10th Asian Cartoon Exhibit was launched recently at the Main Mall Atrium of SM Mall of Asia. With this year’s theme Asian Environmental Issues, the exhibit showcases artworks which tackle the burdens placed on the environment not only in Asia but all over the world.

Japanese Ambassador Makamo Katsura was the guest of honor during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Canadian Ambassador Robert Dejardins, Cambodian Ambassador Tith Sarunreth and Sri Lankan Ambassador Aloy Ratmayake with the Embassy of Indonesia’s Counsellor Maila Sonja Tahar were among the diplomatic dignitaries who attended the event.

Talking about art were Japan Foundation’s Ben Suzuki and Nobuaki Izawa together with Elizabeth Chionglo, the Philippines’ representative to the cartoon exhibit and art collector Jaime Laya.

A joint project of the Japan Foundation and the SM Supermalls, the exhibit will tour three of the country’s upscale malls. It will be on view until January 31 at the SM Mall of Asia, The Lounge at the Podium from February 1-6, and at The Block from February 16-29.

Ten cartoonists from 10 Asian nations produced 77 works depicting environmental problems faced in their respective nations. It also promotes awareness about shared responsibility. They put in their individual brand of humor and satire with amusing and insightful statements about Asian society, culture, and ways of living.

Em Sothya of Cambodia depicts abnormal climate conditions, air and water pollution. Li Quing of China’s works is thought provoking. One of her works is Blooming All Year Round with white plastic that resembles cherry blossoms.

Mohammed Irfaan Kahn of India injects local color in his works like Festival of Light (Divali) Must Go On No Matter if Environment is Polluted and Tales of Blind Planners. Jitet Koestana of Indonesia’s insightful cartoons depict Illegal Logging and Bad Nutrition vs. Good Nutrition.

Yoshiaki Yokota of Japan has a proactive approach depicted in works like Grafting (which recommends the greening of rooftops) and Riverbank (which cites a movement to restore straightened riverbanks to its original shape) Kong Bo Hyuk of Korea has colorful depictions of Water Shortage and Rain, Poachers and Horrible Industrial Waste Oil.

Zuan of Malaysia shows the people factor in saving the environment in works like Medium or Well Done? and Innocent Old Generation. Elizabeth T. Chionglo of the Philippines has witty depictions of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Mouth, Lungs…; and the Ghosts of Infanta, Quezon.

Thi-wa-wat Pattaragulwanit of Thailand has tongue in cheek social commentaries of Last Wish, showing a tree with support systems; and Unseen Thailand showing pollution behind a postcard pretty Thailand. Nhop of Vietnam encourages people to Protect Our Young Sprouts and Save Our Earth through his works.

The Asian Cartoon Exhibit has been held every year since 1995.