The mythological illustrator
Karol (Kariel) Gardosh, illustration: from Wikipedia
Karol (Kariel) Gardosh, known as "Dosh", was born in 1921 in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. He distinguished himself from his youth in painting and writing, and his studies were cut short in 1942, when he was recruited for forced labor under the pro-Nazi Hungarian regime. At the end of World War II, he arrived in Paris, where he befriended Lehi activists and began drawing cartoons for the underground newspaper Ma'as.
Gardosh arrived in Eretz Israel on the eve of the declaration of statehood, and in 1950 joined as graphic editor and cartoonist of the weekly HaOlam HaZeh. He continued to draw and cartoon for five decades, until his death in 2000. Over the years, more than 10,000 cartoons by Dosh have been published in the Hebrew press, most of them in the Maariv newspaper. His genius was evident in the fact that many of the cartoons he drew still look fresh and relevant to events today, as if they were drawn in the present.
According to Dr. Eli Eshed, an Israeli cultural and folklore researcher and editor-in-chief of Yakum Tarbut, drawing a cartoon seems to amount to a few pencil scribbles – but this is not the case with Dosh. "He spent a lot of time thinking, to create a caricature that would be relevant in the future."
Dosh's daughter, Daniella, a retiree from the Israel Broadcasting Authority, who together with her brother Miki preserves their father's legacy, spoke about his creative method: "Dad would sit in his work corner all evening, listening to news broadcasts from Israel and abroad, while drawing sketches. When he decided on the best sketch, he would draw until midnight, and then the editorial messenger would come to deliver the cartoon to print."
Freshly recruited
The new "Srulik", illustration: Shai Cherka, courtesy of Pitkit
Srulik is currently making an up-to-date comeback in the spirit of the times, and is even receiving a new Facebook page in honor of the occasion ("Srulik is always with us"). In its updated version, Srulik appears in an IDF uniform, draped in an Israeli flag and wearing his famous stupid hat, alongside the inscription "We will get through this too." The new Srulik, following Dosh, was designed by cartoonist Shai Cherka, in collaboration with Dosh's children, Dr. Michael Gardosh and Daniela Gardosh.
Always goodbye
Israel is still chasing the vision, illustration: Dosh
"Ask for peace and pursue it" - In the spirit of the well-known biblical commandment, Srulik liked to see himself always as a peacemaker, and also as someone who was eluded by the long-awaited peace. Not much has changed since this cartoon was drawn, with the rocking horse going nowhere. Israel is still pursuing the vision, and today its realization seems even more distant.
Willingly
"Srulik" items have always been popular, and now they are considered rare and expensive, Illustration: srulik.co.il
Arie Reichman, a veteran collector with huge collections of Israeliana items, explains that Srulik items have always been popular, and are now considered rare and expensive. "The opening price of a small ceramic vessel with its image is no less than $1,000, and from there it climbs upwards," he says.
And the world is silent
As if it were painted just today, illustration: Dosh
As if it were painted just today: Israel's cry for fair treatment from the international community has never received an appropriate response, not then – and especially not today, as is well known. Already in the 60s, Srulik knew that world justice for Israelis was a rare commodity, and that on the other side of the door, where we continue to knock to this day, there is actually no one listening.
Broken barrel
We will not stop dreaming of quieter and safer days, Illustration: Dosh
While we have been searching for the buds of peace for a hundred years, and digging for them wherever possible, our enemies, it seems, are looking to kill us more and more, and in every possible way. Foreign Minister Abba Eban insisted at the time: "The Arabs never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity." We, in any case, will not stop dreaming of quieter and safer days.
Social man
A broad perspective on issues other than military conflicts, illustration: Dosh
Over the years, Dosh and Srulik knew how to give a broad perspective on issues other than military conflicts, and most of the most significant events in the history of the state from 1950 onwards were caricatured by the Srulik cartoon: the Eichmann trial, sectarian tension, political events, election campaigns, corruption and economic gaps. In most of the cartoons there was a humorous wink, or criticism said, as usual, in lines.
Historical pride
The spirit of historical enthusiasm was expressed here by Dosh with characteristic grace, illustration: Dosh
June 1967, the Six Day War. Suddenly, Srulik's spirit bursts forth and moves between the troops and troops. The People's Army raises its head and occupies on all fronts. Israeli formations rush along the road to Damascus, and in the Cave of the Patriarchs crowds dance in song: "Standing were our feet at the gates of Jerusalem." We were dreamers. Dosh expressed the spirit of historical enthusiasm here with characteristic grace: the minister of history, holding a feather pen, running and not keeping pace with the IDF's progress and victories.
Head of the snake
Say it all - using a short, simple and concise image, illustration: Dosh
One of Dosh's greatest talents was his ability to say anything - using one short, simple and poignant image. You will agree that the image of the suffocating snake, which he illustrated back in the 70s, still applies to our situation today. And the thought creeps in: If Dosh were alive today, he would probably use the image of octopus tentacles, as befits the current enemy - Iran.
Previous default
His sharpened brush silently tells the story of the omission that is well known to our generation, Illustration: Dosh
Admit it's chilling: Immediately after the Yom Kippur War, Dosh painted this illustration, with his sharpened brush silently telling the story of the omission that is well known to our generation. Israel (in the form of Srulik) was too complacent, the political and security leadership fell asleep on guard, and the enemy took advantage of the situation and hit our axes hard. 50 years ago it was Egypt and Syria, today it is Hamas and Hezbollah. And the painful date of October, white on black, differs only one day from the one we all mourn today.
Multi-arena
Srulik, who wore a uniform here, symbolizes the great victory of the six days, illustration: Dosh
Everyone is now discussing the IDF's ability (or perhaps inability?) to wage a massive war on several fronts simultaneously, but already in 1967 the army proved that its steel fist could strike many enemies from all sides. Srulik, who wore a uniform here, symbolizes the great victory of the Six Days, when little Israel defeated the Arab armies and proved to the entire world what it can do - if it is only determined and united.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us