Gianluca Costantini (born December 19, 1971) is a cartoonist, artist, comic journalist, and activist from Ravenna, Italy.
Biography Costantini is an Italian illustrator and cartoonist who received his training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ravenna. His career took off in 1993 when he contributed to the publications Schizzo in Cremona and the newspaper Il Manifesto. Starting from the year 2000, he embarked on experimenting with the use of the web in the language of comics through the project inguine.net, which later gave rise to the publication of the magazine inguineMAH!gazine by Coniglio Editore. In 2002, he curated the exhibition of Joe Sacco in Italy, followed in 2003 by the exhibition of Marjane Satrapi. In 2005, alongside Elettra Stamboulis, he organized the Komikazen Festival of real-life comics, an event that he continued to organize until 2016.
Since 2010, Costantini has taught Comic Art in the two-year specialization in Comic Languages at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. From 2016 to 2020, he actively participated in the activities of DiEM25 (Democracy in Europe Movement 2025), the movement led by Yanis Varoufakis, and collaborated with the Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei.
He exhibited at the Lazarides Gallery in London in 2009, then at the Salon du dessin contemporain and at the Carousel du Louvre in Paris in 2010. In 2014 he exhibited at Dox Centre for the Contemporary Art of Prague and at the Humor Graphic Museum of Diogenes Taborda in Buenos Aires. In Italy he exhibited alongside the works of Alighiero Boetti at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lissone in 2013.
Drawings for Human Rights Since 2004, Costantini has distinguished himself for his dedication to illustrating globally resonant political and social events. His artistic career began with collaboration on the Indymedia portal, focusing on significant political events such as street protests and revolutions that have characterized the global landscape. Among his most notable works are drawings dedicated to the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 in Cairo, the Occupy Gezi protest in Istanbul in 2013, as well as the Hong Kong protest of 2019 and 2020.
Since 2014, Costantini has focused his artistic talent on human rights, with a particular emphasis on the conditions of detainees in places such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey and Egypt. In 2018, he followed and captured with his drawings the massacre at the editorial office of the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
In 2019, he collaborated with Pen International, creating a series of drawings aimed at raising public awareness about human rights issues in Eritrea. His artistic endeavors intertwine with major international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, ActionAid, SOS Mediterranée and Arci.
The recognition of his artistic contribution was emphasized in 2019 when he received the "Art and Human Rights" award from Amnesty International. In 2023, Costantini further solidified his commitment to human rights through the publication of the book "Human Rights Portraits". This work was presented on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of Amnesty International and includes in-depth texts curated by Riccardo Noury. The book represents a significant contribution to documenting human stories and the challenges faced in the struggle for human rights.
The Patrick Zaki Case
Costantini was the creator of the iconic image associated with the Patrick Zaki case, with the drawing being published on February 7, 2002, the day of Zaki's arrest. For two years, the drawing was utilized as part of Amnesty International's liberation campaign and was featured in large installations across Italian cities. In May 2020, Mayor Virginio Merola of Bologna had reproduction of the drawing installed in Piazza Maggiore. In the same month, a significant installation at the Archiginnasio Library was commissioned by the University of Bologna. In 2022, Costantini published a graphic novel written by Laura Cappon, titled "Patrick Zaki, una storia egiziana," released by Feltrinelli Editore.
The accusation of terrorism by the Turkish government In July 2016, following the failed coup attempt in Turkey, Costantini was initially censored on the web within the Turkish borders by the government. Subsequently, on July 28, he was tried in absentia at the Criminal Offices of the Judge of Peace in Golbasi and charged with terrorism.
Courtroom Sketches from Ai Weiwei's Legal Battle Against Volkswagen Throughout 2019, during the legal proceedings involving Ai Weiwei and Skandinavisk Motor Co. A/S in Copenhagen, Costantini assumed the role of a visual documentarian, capturing the events through his drawings. His involvement was directly solicited by Ai Weiwei, given that the proceedings were conducted behind closed doors, and it was deemed crucial to preserve an accurate visual record of what transpired. Costantini was thus invited to skillfully depict the developments in the legal process, contributing to the preservation of the memory of a significant chapter in the legal dispute between the Chinese artist and the Danish automotive company.
Drawings for Mahsa Amini protests In 2022, Costantini began to document and visually represent the Iranian protests in response to the killing of the twenty-two-year-old Mahsa Amini, an event that shook the international community. His involvement in this cause was a response to human rights violations and injustices perpetrated by the Iranian regime. Over the following year, Costantini continued to dedicate his artistic talent to documenting the women's revolution in Iran and the capital executions promoted by the regime.
Through his work, Costantini aimed to amplify the voices of Iran women and draw global attention to crucial issues related to freedom and human rights. Costantini's drawings have become a visual testimony to the struggles and aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom and justice. His works have been exhibited in many cities worldwide, including Paris, Milan, London, Berlin, Denver, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Fribourg, Tallinn, and Ottawa, reaching a broad international audience.
Costantini's solo exhibition, titled "La strage dei fiori" (The Massacre of Flowers), garnered significant interest and provided the audience with an opportunity to reflect on the complex and often dramatic realities characterizing the situation in Iran. The banner with the message "Liberty for Women in Iran" was displayed in various municipal buildings in Italy, symbolizing the support and solidarity of numerous local communities for the cause of Iranian women's rights.
In 2023, Jane Campion walked the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival wearing a drawing by Costantini.
Publications Costantini began publishing comics in 1993, starting with Italian magazines dedicated to comic publication. Over the years, he has created numerous graphic novels.
Graphic Novels In 2008, Costantini and Elettra Stamboulis collaborated on the publication of "The Tamer of Istanbul," a biography dedicated to Osman Hamdi Bey. This biography, crafted through the amalgamation of visual storytelling and written text, represents a detailed homage to this prominent figure in the Ottoman cultural landscape. Osman Hamdi Bey, a painter, archaeologist, and museologist, is renowned for his significant contributions to the artistic and cultural scene of the Ottoman Empire. This illustrated biography provides an opportunity for the reader to explore the historical and cultural context in which Osman Hamdi Bey operated, emphasizing his diverse activities and his impact on Turkey's artistic and museal heritage.
The graphic novel titled "Julian Assange: From the Hacker Ethic to WikiLeaks" authored by Costantini and Dario Morgante and published by the Italian publisher Becco Giallo in 2011, traces the history of Julian Assange and his collaborators. It spans two decades of computer challenges, addressing many questions surrounding WikiLeaks and the hacker community that gave rise to this platform. The text provides an in-depth look into the birth and development of WikiLeaks, focusing on the controversies and impacts of its revelations, particularly the "Collateral Murder" video. The narrative offers a detailed perspective on Assange's figure, exploring the key role he played in the creation and evolution of WikiLeaks, as well as the historical context of the group's activities.
Between 2011 and 2014, Costantini collaborated with the writer Elettra Stamboulis to create three graphic novel biographies. These works were published under the titles "Dinner with Gramsci," "Goodbye Berlinguer," and "Pertini in the Clouds." The graphic novel trilogy is characterized by a unique fusion of visual storytelling and written text, providing an in-depth exploration into the lives of significant historical figures in Italian history. "Dinner with Gramsci" delves into the life and thoughts of Antonio Gramsci, "Goodbye Berlinguer" offers a perspective on Enrico Berlinguer, while "Pertini in the Clouds" focuses on the personality of Sandro Pertini.
"Officina del Macello, 1917: The Decimation of the Catanzaro Brigade" is a graphic novel that explores the period of the First World War. The year 1917 marks the third year of conflict, characterized by the harshness of life in the trenches, where many soldiers have long been separated from their homes. Created in 2014 by Costantini and Elettra Stamboulis for the Italian publishing house Eris Edizioni, this work provides a deep and poignant insight into the reality of war and the challenges faced by soldiers. The visual narration and written text merge to create an engaging experience that conveys the harshness and dehumanization of the conflict.
In 2019, he released the graphic novel "Libia," a collaborative work between the renowned artist Costantini and the acclaimed journalist Francesca Mannocchi. This work, through the powerful combination of visual art and narrative journalism, aims to explore the complex dynamics and challenges faced by Libya, a country rich in history and conflicts.
In 2022, Costantini published the graphic novel "Patrick Zaky, an Egyptian Story," a collaboration with journalist Laura Cappon. This work explores the history and life of Patrick Zaky, an Egyptian human rights activist. The visual narrative provides a unique perspective on the life of a prisoner in Egyptian prisons and on the initiatives of the Italian civil society for the defense of human rights.
In 2024, Costantini collaborates with Ai Weiwei and Elettra Stamboulis to publish the graphic novel "Zodiac." This graphic memoir deeply explores the connection between artistic expression and intellectual freedom, providing a unique perspective through the lens of the Chinese zodiac.
In 2024, Costantini published the graphic novel "Xi Jinping: The emperor of Silence" in collaboration with journalist Eric Meyer. Xi Jinping: The Emperor of Silence is a comprehensive graphic novel that chronicles the life and rise of Xi Jinping, from his childhood to his current position as the leader of China. This compelling investigation reveals his remarkable journey from his family's disgrace to his ascension to power. It also presents an analysis of modern China's history and politics. The project was conceived by Eric Meyer, a seasoned journalist who has been observing Xi Jinping's rapid rise since 2005 during his tenure as an independent press correspondent in Beijing. Meyer collaborated with Italian artist Costantini, known for his politically charged illustrations, to bring this intricate narrative to life. The graphic novel has been well-received for its in-depth portrayal of Xi Jinping and its insightful analysis of China's contemporary political landscape. Readers have praised the work for its enlightening content and the effective synergy between Meyer's investigative writing and Costantini's evocative artwork.