Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The self-taught Belgian cartoonist behind the Smurfs is getting some long-awaited recognition with a first-ever retrospective of his work that opened in Paris on Thursday.
"Everybody knows the Smurfs, a real international success, but no one knows their creator Pierre Culliford," alias Payo, said Eric Leroy, curator of the show at the Arcurial gallery just off the Champs Elysees.
"We wanted to pay hommage to the man, a real storyteller, full of humour."
The show - running until August 30 - features more than 200 original panels retained by Payo's family after his death in 1992 at the age of 64, as well as photographs, albums and some personal objects.
Fans of the sock-topped blue critters - animated stars of a Hollywood family comedy that's due out in 3D at the end of July - will discover how much Payo enjoyed dreaming up stories but doubted his artistic talent.
"I draw badly, and that enables me to make a simple drawing," he once said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments