Khalid Albaih is a Sudanese political cartoonist and artist known for his work under the name "Khartoon," which combines sharp political commentary with advocacy for human rights and freedom of expression. His multidisciplinary practice includes exhibitions, digital platforms, and community projects that amplify marginalized voices globally.kunstnerneshus+1

Major Artistic Installations: Shahid and Bahar
In 2024, Albaih presented Shahid at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, an interactive audiovisual installation named after the Arabic word for “witness”. The piece features four digital drawings on a large wall-length mirror, depicting victims of the Gaza conflict, while visitors see their reflections superimposed on the images, emphasizing their role as global witnesses. The installation includes a recorded recitation of the names and ages of martyrs, reinforcing personal accountability and challenging international indifference. Albaih uses this work to critique the selective visibility of global atrocities, questioning why conflicts like Sudan’s receive less attention due to limited media access and internet blackouts.mathaf+1

Another key work, Bahar, is a video piece using found footage of refugees at sea, reflecting on displacement and survival. It was screened in April 2025 at Kunstnernes Hus in Oslo as part of his evolving exhibition Refresh, alongside Heroic Bodies by Sara Suliman, further embedding personal narratives within political discourse.indexoncensorship+1

Evolving Exhibition: Refresh at Kunstnernes Hus
Albaih’s 2025 solo exhibition Refresh at Kunstnernes Hus in Oslo is designed as a dynamic, changing experience, mirroring the updating nature of social media feeds. The exhibition unfolds over two months in public spaces such as hallways and the restaurant, with new works appearing along a red-coloured band that marks its progression. This format challenges traditional, static exhibitions and reflects Albaih’s practice of daily digital publishing, making art accessible outside formal gallery settings. The exhibition was curated by Sarah Lookofsky and supported by Fritt Ord, aligning with efforts to foster critical public discourse.frittord+1

Digital Editorial Leadership: KhartoonMag.com
As editor-in-chief of KhartoonMag.com, Albaih leads a platform that publishes political cartoons and illustrated reports created by displaced Sudanese artists, providing a space for revolutionary expression amid ongoing conflict. The magazine supports artistic continuity and resistance, preserving Sudanese cultural memory through collaborative visual storytelling. The website lists current contributing artists such as Jado Ali, Sara Al Tayeb, and Mahdi Al Hashimi, confirming its active role in sustaining the community of Sudanese cartoonists.adamatl+2

Doha Fashion Fridays: Humanizing Migrant Workers
Co-founded with Aparna Jayakumar in 2017, Doha Fashion Fridays is an Instagram-based project (@DohaFashionFridays) that documents the personal style and stories of migrant workers in Qatar on their day off, particularly in the sportswear shops of Doha. The project resists dehumanizing narratives by portraying workers as individuals with identity, dignity, and agency, using a format inspired by Humans of New York. Exhibited at Tasweer Photo Festival, it has been recognized as an award-winning initiative that challenges stereotypes and centers community voices. The Instagram feed remains active and consistent with this mission.tasweer+2

Publications and Media
Albaih authored Khartoon!, a collection of his political cartoons, and co-edited Sudan Retold, a visual history of Sudan featuring 31 artists, which has been exhibited at institutions like Georgetown University in Qatar. In 2024, he hosted Alhasil Shino? on AJ+, further expanding his reach in public discourse. His writings have appeared in The Guardian, and his 2016 documentary The Story of Civil Rights is Unfinished highlighted his role in Sudan’s protest movements.hiwaraat.qatar.georgetown+1

Collaboration with Mimeta
Khalid Albaih has participated in events organized by Mimeta, including a panel discussion in March 2023, where he was featured as a globally renowned artist and cultural producer. Mimeta, the organization the user directs, works internationally to protect cultural rights and support artists at risk, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Albaih’s engagement with Mimeta aligns with the organization’s mission, as he himself is a member of the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), which provides safe haven for threatened artists—Mimeta being an active partner in such initiatives. His workshop “Cartoon Chronicles” was also hosted during the Oslo World Festival in 2023, an event connected to broader efforts in artistic freedom that Mimeta supports. Through these collaborations, Albaih contributes to the ecosystem of artistic solidarity that Mimeta helps sustain.mimeta+2

When art becomes a global witness.

Sudanese political cartoonist Khalid Albaih, known as “Khartoon,” uses creativity as activism—challenging injustice and amplifying unheard voices.

From his 2025 exhibition Refresh at Kunstnernes Hus in Oslo to installations like Shahid and Bahar, Albaih reimagines how we see conflict, displacement, and accountability. As editor of KhartoonMag.com and co-founder of Doha Fashion Fridays, he continues to build global communities of resistance and empathy through art.

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Khalid Albaih is a Nominee for the Index Award 2025 Category Arts