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The 2023 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Illustrated Reporting and Commentary

Finalist: Matt Davies of Newsday, Long Island, N.Y.

For his sharp editorial perspective on the year’s political figures, rendered in distinctive drawings that avoid formulaic punchlines and are often from the vantage point of those who are not in power.

Nominated Work

"Duck" (January 31, 2022)

"Make America Grift Again" (June 16, 2022)

"Big Gov." (June 26, 2022)

"Gouge" (February 17, 2022)

"America" (July 7, 2022)

"Reference Section" (August 11, 2022)

"Easy" (July 18, 2022)

"Walk" (August 31, 2022)

"Over" (April 25, 2022)

"Slipping Standards" (September 2, 2022)

"Refugees" (September 18, 2022)

"Boom!" (September 22, 2022)

"All Wet" (October 3, 2022)

"Contrast" (June 13, 2022)

"Advancement" (September 28, 2022)

Biography

Matt Davies is the editorial cartoonist for Newsday in NY and has won both the 2004 Pulitzer Prize and the 2001 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Prize. In 2004 he was awarded the first ever Herblock Prize and received it again in 2019, making him the only cartoonist to win the award twice.

In 2021 Davies was awarded the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the national Society of Professional Journalists. He won the National Headliner Award for editorial cartoons in both 2022 and 2017 and was additionally named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2011 and 2016.

His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Andrews McMeel Syndicate.

Davies is an author and illustrator of children’s books. His first book, Ben Rides On, was a Kirkus Best Book of 2013 and his subsequent children’s literary work has been met with enthusiastic critical acclaim, including for his collaborations with Aaron Reynolds on Nerdy Birdy and Nerdy Birdy Tweets.

Born in London, England in 1966, Davies moved to the U.S. in 1983. He studied illustration and fine art at both the Savannah College of Art & Design and the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Winners

Prize Winner in Illustrated Reporting and Commentary in 2023:

Mona Chalabi, contributor, The New York Times

For striking illustrations that combine statistical reporting with keen analysis to help readers understand the immense wealth and economic power of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Illustrated Reporting and Commentary

Finalists

Nominated as finalists in Illustrated Reporting and Commentary in 2023:

Pia Guerra, contributor, The Washington Post

For her elegant black-and-white drawings that offer insightful commentary on the year’s biggest news events, illustrations distinguished by their simplicity, playfulness and emotional punch.

The Jury

Steve Duenes(Chair)

Deputy Managing Editor, The New York Times

Kainaz Amaria

National Visual Enterprise Editor, The Washington Post

Kathleen McElroy

Professor and Frank A. Bennack Jr. Chair in Journalism, University of Texas at Austin

Kevin Siers*

Editorial Cartoonist, Charlotte Observer

Raghuram Vadarevu

Senior Editor, Storytelling, The Marshall Project

Winners in Illustrated Reporting and Commentary

See All Illustrated Reporting and Commentary

2023 Prize Winners

Commentary

Kyle Whitmire of AL.com, Birmingham

For measured and persuasive columns that document how Alabama's Confederate heritage still colors the present with racism and exclusion, told through tours of its first capital, its mansions and monuments–and through the history that has been omitted.
Investigative Reporting

Staff of The Wall Street Journal

For sharp accountability reporting on financial conflicts of interest among officials at 50 federal agencies, revealing those who bought and sold stocks they regulated and other ethical violations by individuals charged with safeguarding the public’s interest.
See All 2023 Winners