Can art and politics fit together in the same picture? As an artist, I am privileged to be able to address various societal issues through my art. At the same time, I hesitate to take a stand, especially on current societal issues. I fear my thoughts may create too much division, or that I might lose my audience as an artist. 

Tove Jansson was also a well-known cartoonist. The illustrations she drew for Garm magazine, especially those from the war years, are an important reminder that one can be a widely loved artist and still boldly take a stand on societal issues. Jansson was one of the few cartoonists who, despite her strong opinions, always signed her drawings with her own name. What was new to me was that her career as a cartoonist overlapped with the time when the Moomins had already become beloved by the public. This sends a strong message about the importance of speaking up and taking a stand, and how easily we fall silent for fear of potentially losing something. In Jansson’s case, she was a well-known artist, but perhaps this dynamic of silence is familiar to all of us. 

How could we, as a society, create more space for everyone to speak up and express opinions? It requires respect and the ability to put ourselves in each other’s shoes. It also requires provocateurs like Tove Jansson to spark conversation.