Burhan Karkutli

Burhan Karkutli (1932–2003) was a Syrian-Palestinian artist and activist, born in Damascus. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo in 1952 and later lived and worked across Spain, Morocco, Mexico, Venezuela, and Germany.

Best known for his political posters and illustrations, Karkutli's work was deeply inspired by the Palestinian struggle and by the memories of Damascus, which he carried with him throughout his life in the diaspora. Drawing from folk art, he developed a distinctive visual language of bold black and-white forms, simplified figures, and intricate patterns.

Karkutli was a founding member of the Palestinian Artist Federation in Beirut. His work spans posters, book covers, and editorial illustrations, combining storytelling with political expression. In his later years, he also became known as a hakawati , sharing stories through oral performance.

His work is held in international collections, including the Dalloul Art Foundation in Beirut, Birzeit Museum in Palestine, and the Palestinian Poster Project.