Piracicaba: jurors evaluate 2,445 works from 44 countries for Humor Salon 2026 The Piracicaba International Humor Salon (SP), one of the largest graphic arts events in the world, begins selecting this Saturday (18th) the works that will make up the main exhibition of the 53rd edition, which will open on August 29, 2026. In addition to the traditional categories of cartoons, cartoons, caricatures, strips/comics, sculpture and health, the Salon has the 2026 themed edition, with an IA x IH challenge – The Duel of the Century: Algorithm vs. Soul. The section discusses the limits and contrasts between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. Join the g1 Piracicaba channel on Whatsapp ? Selection jury chooses works from the 53rd edition of the Piracicaba International Humor Show Reproduction/EPTV The organization received 2,445 works this year, entered by 375 artists from 44 countries. During the two days of work, this Saturday (18) and Sunday (19), the jury will analyze the works entered, which are divided between physical works and in digital format. After selection, the chosen works will proceed to a second stage, analysis by the award jury. The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for August 29, 2026, at Engenho Central de Piracicaba. Luiz Carlos Fernandes, who has already exhibited works and won awards in previous editions, and is one of the judges at the Piracicaba International Humor Salon Reproduction/EPTV 'Drawing is signature', defines the jury For Luiz Carlos Fernandes, who has exhibited works and won awards in previous editions and is one of the selection judges this year, the level of quality at the event held in Piracicaba (SP) is high. "I see a lot of the artist's signature. I don't say the name, but the drawing is a signature. I see a lot of the person's style, which is different. I think it's cool when there's something new that no one has done. When the artist comes with a proposal, the work takes a leap," said Fernandes. In an interview with EPTV, a TV Globo affiliate, the artist stated that just the fact of having a work chosen to be part of the main exhibition of an edition already represents a kind of “award”. "In Piracicaba the stakes are up there. When I send a job to Piracicaba, I know that I will compete with people from all over the world. So, it is very difficult to win. Being selected in Piracicaba is already a prize", said Fernandes. Selection jury The selection jury, made up of professionals from the areas of graphic arts, research and innovation, is also composed of Adilson da Silva Freitas, Gislaine Martins (Gim), Magô Pool, Willian Hussar, Luiz Gustavo Paffaro and Marília Marz. They work on the selection process until Sunday (19), in the auditorium of the municipality's Department of Education. Finnish artist Synnöve Hilkner will lead the 53rd edition of the Piracicaba International Humor Salon Piracicaba City Hall/Reproduction Woman in the presidency For the first time, in more than half a century of the exhibition's existence, the 53rd edition of the Piracicaba International Humor Salon (SIHP) has a woman presiding over the event: the Finnish artist and caricaturist Synnöve Hilkner. The choice of Synnöve Dahlström Hilkner represents a milestone in the history of the Piracicaba International Humor Show. Profile: graduated in Social Communication from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, Synnöve is an international reference in caricature sculpture (3D). Synnöve's artistic production stands out for its multicultural dialogue and for portraying figures linked to activism and culture, in addition to defending female protagonism in the arts. Synnöve next to Malala's sculpture during an exhibition at the Piracicaba International Humor Salon Claudia Assencio/g1 As president of the edition, the artist will be responsible for contributing with guidelines for the program, collaborating in choosing the jurors and monitoring the definition of themes. "The Salon allows us to understand different moments in Brazil's political-socio-cultural history based on the works presented. Over the decades, it is possible to observe changes in scenarios and important advances, such as the evolution of the presence and voice of women in the arts", he highlighted. Read more Humor Salon: 40 years after an edition criticized for sexism, award-winning cartoonist still sees barriers for women in the sector Piracicaba International Salon changes exhibition name to disassociate 'TPM' from female graphic humor; cartoonists comment Registrations The event is one of the longest-running in the graphic humor segment in the world. Artists were able to submit their work on the event's official website until June 21st. For Salãozinho, the exhibition category aimed at children and teenagers, registrations will continue until July 17th. According to the regulations, professional and amateur artists with unpublished works that have not previously been awarded or selected in the exhibition or similar events can participate until registration closes. In this edition, the purchasing prizes total R$ 82 thousand distributed among the categories provided for in the regulations. The value may change up to the award date, considering the inclusion or eventual cancellation of sponsored categories. Duel of the century In each edition, the show proposes a theme to inspire artists in the Thematic category. In 2026, the IA x IH proposal – The Duel of the Century: Algorithm vs. Alma invites participants to reflect on the relationship and contrasts between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence. According to Junior Kadeshi, the idea is to provoke reflections that go beyond the superficial debate about technology. "We expect works that address issues such as authorship, ethics and cultural identity, in addition to the human capacity to laugh at their own creations. That artists challenge the system and show that true intelligence does not just depend on algorithms", he stated. For the other categories, the theme is free. VIDEO: Everything about Piracicaba and the region See more news about the region on g1 Piracicaba