Vancouver cartoonist named finalist for Pulitzer Prize, 2 years after switching professions
A Vancouver woman is still reeling after being named a finalist for one of the most prestigious awards in publishing.
Zoe Si's work has been seen by millions, splashed on the pages of The New Yorker and this week she learned she was up for a Pulitzer Prize for several of her drawings.
It's recognition that Si calls "very, very surreal" after making a big career change during the height of the pandemic.
The 31-year-old graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2013 and was a practicing lawyer up until about two years ago.
That's when she decided to trade the courtrooms for cartooning, as a way of documenting her life.
"I started cartooning to solve problems for myself because life was difficult and drawing cartoons about something…you make yourself laugh," Si told CTV News Vancouver.
"I didn't go into this wanting to become an editorial cartoonist or a journalist, I came into it just having the experience of documenting my life."
But it was a decision that quickly paid off.
"I would process my feelings by drawing about them and The New Yorker kept picking them up," said Si.
The Pulitzer Prize administration describes Si's illustrations as demonstrating "inclusive representation and sharply observed punchlines to capture political realities and daily life during the pandemic."
"It's certainly unexpected, this really wasn't the goal this year at all," said Si.
While she initially didn't plan on drawing as a full-time career, Si said she started taking pen to paper as a way to cope with stress when she was going through law school.
"I started a website where I made a goal to post one drawing every day for a year...my following online just kind of grew organically," she said.
"When I became a lawyer, I kept drawing cartoons about my everyday life…it was just a funny way to blow off steam and people found it quite relatable."
Si said she didn't know editorial cartoonists could win a Pulitzer Prize until 2020, when long-time contributor for The New Yorker Barry Blitt won one.
"When I found that out…I thought OK this will be my 30-year plan," she said. "I can maybe expect this when I'm in my 50s and then of course it happened this year…so it was super overwhelming but very validating."
Si has now set her sights on the future, when she plans to continue drawing cartoons for The New Yorker and illustrating for children's books. She hopes will eventually lead to a book deal.
"The next thing that I'm going to try to do is write a children's book or a graphic novel," she said. "Just continue to find ways to communicate with people and convince people of the legitimacy of cartoons as a serious means of communication."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.