José Guadalupe Posada’s Graphic Legacy Showcased in LACMA Exhibition.

The power of art to raise social awareness and drive change takes center stage in two Los Angles exhibitions. These exhibitions showcase highlights from LACMA’s collection that look at how graphic arts can bring to light injustices, push toward change, and inspire action.. Pressing Politics: Revolutionary Graphics from Mexico and Germany is on display at the Charles White Elementary School and What _Would You Say?: Activist Graphics from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art _ is on display at the Vincent Price Art Museum.

The ‘Pressing Politics’ exhibit examines a shared visual approach that came out of artists’ responses to the revolutionary circumstances of Germany and Mexico during the first part of the 20th century. The second exhibition, ‘What Would You Say?,’ focuses on the works of California artists and designers who fight for civil rights, social justice, and against oppression and war.

Although these exhibitions differ in their focus, they share a common theme: the impact of Mexican Printmaker José Guadalupe Posada. He is well known for his broadsides that depict calaveras, or satirical skeletons, current events, as well as popular stories. The appeal and access to these broadsides solidified his reputation as a leader and inspiration for artists in the US and Mexico after his death and spanning till the present.

His work left quite a legacy, as he impacted many artists after his death. One of these groups is the Taller the Gráfica Popular (TGP; People’s Print Workshop). When they established their publishing house, their first work included an album with Posada’s prints. They also created calavera broadsides to use in remembrance of Día de los Muertos each year. Chicano artists as well as activists also turned to his work and recognized him as an influential artist as well. They would pay homage to him and even recreate some parts of his prints.

The exhibitions remind attendees of the important role that artists and designers play in advocating for social justice. The powerful impact of graphic arts leaves a lasting impression, inspiring audiences to continue the crucial work of pushing toward a more equitable society. Posada's legacy continues to influence contemporary artists, whose work carries on his tradition of visual storytelling.

It looks like these two people wrote the LACMA article:

-Rachel Kaplan, Associate Curator, Latin American Art

-Staci Steinberger, Curator, Decorative Arts and Design

Prints and drawings