Cartoon “Gaze” by Zhao Shuhe, a cartoonist from Pingtan, an island off E China’s Fujian province, was featured at the 10th China (Jiaxing) International Cartoon Biennale hosted by China’s Artists Association. 

157 works were curated from 2,990 submissions from 44 countries and regions.

In Zhao's work, two women cross paths. One is pushing a stroller while the other woman is pushing a wheelchair. The baby in the stroller and the grey-haired man in the wheelchair exchange glances while the two women have their eyes transfixed on their mobile phones- seemingly detached from the rest of the world.

"Today, people are hooked on their electronic devices and shut off from reality and neglect themselves." Zhao said that the baby and the old man symbolize our "past" and "future." Zhao aims to raise public awareness of breaking free from electronic infatuation and spending more time connecting with the real world.

Over the years, Zhao Shuhe has created a plethora of comic works focusing on social life. "I believe a contemporary cartoonist should raise issues that are occurring in the society- praise good deeds and poke fun at social ills." Zhao planned to create more works to help Pingtan increase exposure. 

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