ART WORK
New Demands? Solo exhibition @ Spudnik Press Cooperative, 2016
IN UNION WE ARE STRONG, textile banner
Screen printed and risograph prints
WE MOURN OUR LOSSES, textile banner
The works in the exhibition are inspired by slogans, demands, and calls for action by the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union. They re-interpret and re-produce broadsheets, flyers, posters, placards, and advertising created by the Union as part of its campaigns for better living and working conditions for garment workers, from approximately 1890 to 1982. Presented together, the works span the winning of rights and benefits by members of the ILGWU during the first half of the 20th century, and the demise of the American garment industry and deliberate dismantling of American unions under global racial capitalism.
Presented as part of the Spudnik Press Residency Program.
Material research was conducted at the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union archives at the Kheel Center, Cornell University.
Thanks to Nicolette Ross and Yewon Kwon at Spudnik; Patrizia Sione, Research archivist at the ILGWU Archives; SAIC Faculty Enrichment Grants; and Christine Tarkowski
Photo: Robert Chase Heisman
Studio assistance: Christy Carlson