Taiwanese political cartoonist and writer Kuei-Yu Lin (林奎佑), known by his pseudonym, Yufu (魚夫), died of liver cancer on Monday at the age of 65, his family said on social media.
Lin passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to a post on his Facebook fan page, which also expressed gratitude for people’s concern.
Lin was the first cartoonist ever to draw a political cartoon of former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), doing so after martial law was lifted, and was seen as a pioneer of political commentary.
Photo: Liu Wan-chun, Taipei Times
He also worked as a news editor, hosted radio and television shows, led an animation company and founded an online television channel.
Lin once said he would like the epitaph on his gravestone to read “cartoonist.”
He began publishing political cartoons in a political commentary magazine in the 1980s, which propelled him into the limelight.
He became known for challenging the restrictions on freedom of speech before martial law was lifted in Taiwan in 1987.
Lin once said on his Facebook page that he had to sneak around to hand over his cartoons to be featured in Taiwan independence activist Deng Nan-jung’s (鄭南榕) magazine, for fear of being arrested.
However, over the past few years, Lin mainly focused his sketches on Taiwan’s food and scenery.
He said in a Facebook post that he stopped drawing political cartoons, because young people in Taiwan are “awakening” and many have better drawing skills than him.
“My historic role has come to an end. Now my focus is back on artistic creations,” he said at the time.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) expressed his grief at hearing about Lin’s passing and extended his condolences to his family. Huang also offered to provide support regarding funeral arrangements.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan (李遠) yesterday lauded Lin’s life as a media professional, political commentator, cartoonist and writer.
Lin had demonstrated his love for Taiwan’s land, folk customs and food throughout his life, Li said.
The Ministry of Culture would petition for a presidential commendation for his contributions to the nation’s culture, he said.
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