Political satirists come in all sizes

COEUR d'ALENE - Some people might feel like a giant mythological creature is breathing fire down upon their heads because of difficult economic times.

But the key is optimism in the face of it all, especially if the flames haven't quite reached them. That's the way 12-year-old Matthew Burton portrays economic hardship that for some has almost reached the point of being economic disaster.

Burton, a sixth-grader at Twin Lakes Elementary School, recently won a political cartoon contest by communicating optimism in the face of potential disaster through his art.

"It's definitely something kind of a little deadly," Matthew said, describing the fire-breathing creature he imagined. "He likes to eat a lot."

Burton, who has Asperger syndrome, a high-functioning type of autism, lives about 12 miles north of Coeur d'Alene with his mother, Jennifer Burton.

"He's always been an awesome artist," she said. "His school assignments come home with drawings all over the back. But he assures me he's doing his (school) work first."

His winning drawing has been recreated mural sized, 8 feet tall by 5 feet wide, along with about a dozen other cartoons in the main exhibit room at the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene.

Matthew's drawing shows a puny stick figure surrounded by flames that are raging from the mouth of the giant dragon-like creature.

More than 40 other people, of all ages, submitted cartoons in the contest, which was open to the public. Submissions were accepted from January through April 15.

Matthew said he was happy to win, as "I've always lost every single contest I've ever joined."

The 11 other cartoons recreated mural sized in the main exhibit room were originally drawn by professionals who do work for The New Yorker magazine and other publications. Those cartoons were selected because of their effectiveness at illustrating economic rights such as availability of food, clean water, shelter, health care, and employment, said Rachel Dolezal of the institute.

Matthew's cartoon and the others will be on display at the institute until June 20. Matthew also won $100, and got a day off from school.

The winner was chosen by the institute.

"We liked it because it typified how a lot of people feel" in the difficult economic times, Dolezal said. "Some can feel it breathing down their necks. It was a cartoon without a caption, but that still managed to really say it all too."

The stick figure surrounded by flames shows both how dire the situation can be and actually is for some people who don't have adequate shelter or food or employment or other economic rights, Dolezal said.

But the drawing also shows that there is hope for attaining them.

"I think that's how people feel too," she said. "It's not an exaggeration of the situation."

Jennifer said Matthew is vocal, but does some of his best communication through art. She said Matthew tries to incorporate his art into everything he does.

"My entire fridge is covered with superheroes," which is what Matthew likes to draw most, she said.

And he's his own biggest critic.

"He's such a perfectionist," Jennifer said.