One Decade After the Shoe-ing of President Bush

A little over one decade ago– December 14th, 2008– President George W. Bush dodged two shoes flung at him by Iraqi cameraman Muntadhar al-Zaidi. The incident, marked by the significance of the especially derogatory symbol of the shoe in the Muslim world, sparked mass protests to release Mr. Zaidi.

Needless to say, artists took to their canvases to capture the new symbol. In Iraq, Mr. Zaidi’s actions were largely viewed positively. Looking back, here are some of the most intriguing takes on the shoe-ing of President Bush.

“Bush-Maliki News Conference. Baghdad, December 2008” by Dmitry Borshch (2009)

“USA Heritage Flag” by Hanaa’ Malallah (2012)

“I.W.M.D.” by Hanaa’ Malallah (2011) – “Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction”

Monument at Tikrit Orphanage complex, by Laith al-Amiri and children of the orphanage (2009)

“Farewell Kiss” by Mahmud Obaidi (auctioned in 2014)

Caricature by Indian Muslims, photographed by Mahesh Kumar, AP photo (2009)

All images © the authors listed in their descriptions.