Gatis Šļūka at the Green Week

Gatis is a Latvian cartoonist and illustrator whose work blends sharp humour with deep environmental insight.

Over the past two decades, his work has been featured in numerous magazines, including The Washington Post, USA Today, China Daily, Politico, Courrier International, Greenpeace, among others. His last two books were among the top 10 bestsellers in Latvia, with the most recent reaching number one.

With a keen eye for the absurdities of modern life, Gatis uses cartoons to spark conversation about some of today’s most pressing issues — from climate change and waste to overconsumption and the possibilities of a circular economy.

This exhibition presents a selection of works created by Gatis for DG Environment, highlighting his unique take on sustainability, circular thinking, and the fragile balance between people and planet. 

Each cartoon invites us to look, think, and ask: Could we do things differently?

When I create cartoons about environmental issues, I make an effort to dig deeper into the topic - researching thoroughly, identifying the core problem, and then finding a way to portray it that resonates with people, while also adding a touch of humour.

I’m not looking at things strictly from one political side or the other. I try to observe situations from an outside perspective. Especially with sensitive topics, I believe it’s important to strike a fine balance so the cartoon can reach a wider audience. The goal is to avoid having the cartoon come across as propaganda for any specific political agenda.

To me, the good cartoon is one that makes you smile while also delivering a meaningful message. That’s what I strive for in my work.

Sometimes, a cartoon can communicate what a long article might say - but in a way that’s more accessible and engaging for people who may not want to read a full piece.

When developing ideas, I use visual similarities, real Life situations and symbols to help express the idea clearly and creatively.