From the Dead Sea to Everest: Israeli caricaturists draw big smiles in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU : On a warm late September afternoon, three of Israel’s top cartoonists had a Kathmandu hall filled with laughter, chatter, and quick-moving sketch pens.

Between rapid-fire ink drawings and sharp visual punchlines, the three visiting artists amused a lively Nepali crowd as part of a three-day cultural exchange that brought together the creative communities of two distinct landscapes.

Organized by the Embassy of Israel in Nepal from September 28 to 30, the visit brought veteran artist Nissim Hezkiyau (Nusko), visual communication professor Itamar Daube, and iconic comic creator Uri Fink to the capital.

The centerpiece of the visit was an exhibition titled “Highest and Lowest on Earth,” held in Kathmandu on September 28.

The theme drew a creative line between the world’s lowest point—the Dead Sea in Israel—and its highest peak, Mount Everest in Nepal.

Coordinated by Hezkiyau alongside Rajesh KC and Rabi Mishra from the Cartoonist Club of Nepal, the gallery showcased visual humor and political commentary from both nations.

While the art on display sparked plenty of conversation, the main event was a live caricature session that quickly stole the spotlight.

The Israeli trio set up their drawing boards and sketched live portraits of guests on the spot, capturing exaggerated features and quirky details with impressive speed.

The afternoon turned into an interactive spectacle, with crowd members waiting eagerly to see their visual doubles on paper and taking home personalized mementos.

Speaking at the gathering, Janan Bebar, Chargés d’Affaires a.i., pointed out how visual storytelling bridges cultural distance. “Cultural events like this offer a wonderful opportunity to bring our peoples closer through art, creativity, and human connection,” she noted, adding that cartoon art uses simple lines and humor to help people see familiar things from fresh angles.

For the visiting artists, the warmth of the local audience stood out immediately. “It’s wonderful to have such a unique exhibition in so lovely and friendly a country,” said Hezkiyau.

Beyond the gallery floor, the visit focused heavily on professional exchange and education.

The Israeli delegation met with members of the Cartoonist Club of Nepal to compare creative techniques and discuss potential future collaborations.

They also spent time on campus, delivering lectures and running hands-on workshops for journalism and mass communication students at Tribhuvan University and Dibyabhumi Multiple College.

The sessions—covering topics like “The Notion of Motion,” basic comic-making, and the mechanics of live facial caricature—gave aspiring Nepali visual communicators direct access to industry veterans.

About the Visiting Artists:

Nissim Hezkiyau (Nusko): Artistic Director of Animix, the International Festival of Animation, Comics, and Caricature in Tel Aviv, a position he has held since 2001.

Prof. Itamar Daube: Professor of Visual Communication, Animation, and Game Design at Shenkar College, and editorial caricaturist for the major Israeli daily Yedioth Acharonot.

Uri Fink: Creator of the legendary Israeli comic series Zbeng!, daily political cartoonist for Maariv, and Chairman of the Israeli Cartoonists and Comics Artists Association.