The 53rd Piracicaba International Humor Exhibition 2026: A Historic Edition and the AI Duel

The world’s longest-running and most prestigious graphic humor event is back with a groundbreaking announcement. The 53rd International Humor Exhibition of Piracicaba (SIHP) in Brazil has officially opened its doors for 2026, marking a monumental shift in its half-century history.

A Historic Milestone: The First Female President

For the first time since its inception, a woman will lead the exhibition. The Finnish plastic artist and world-renowned 3D caricaturist Synnöve Hilkner has been appointed as the President of the 53rd edition. Known for her multicultural dialogue and activism, Hilkner’s leadership represents a new era of female protagonism in the arts.

“The Salon allows us to understand different moments of Brazil’s socio-political-cultural history through the works presented,” says Hilkner. “Over the decades, we can observe the evolution of women’s voices in the arts.”

The Theme: AI vs. HI – The Duel of the Century

This year’s thematic category is more provocative than ever: “AI vs HI – The Duel of the Century: Algorithm vs. Soul.” As artificial intelligence begins to mimic styles and patterns, Piracicaba challenges artists to defend the “last bastion of subversion.” The organization seeks works that explore the tension between digital automation and human imperfection. Can a machine replicate the biting irony or the unique “timing” of a human stroke? Artists are encouraged to go beyond simple robot drawings and reflect on authorship, ethics, and the human capacity to laugh at our own creations.

Visual Identity: Fernandes and Carolina Spruck

The official posters for 2026 carry deep cultural references:

• The Main Poster: Created by the legendary Fernandes, the artwork draws inspiration from Don Quixote and King Kong, intertwining them with the AI debate and the local identity of Piracicaba.
• The Salãozinho Poster: Designed by 11-year-old Carolina Orlando Spruck, featuring the iconic “capybaras” and “fish” of the city, proving that humor has no age.

Submission Guidelines & Prizes

• Deadline: June 21, 2026 (For the main exhibition).
• Categories: Cartoon, Charge (Political), Caricature, Strips/Comics, Sculpture, Unimed Health, and the Special AI vs. HI Theme.
• Prize Pool: A total of R$ 82,500.00 in purchase awards.
• How to Enter: Works must be original and unpublished. Digital entries (300 DPI, JPEG) can be submitted via the official website.