Black Dagger
29th August 2007, 16:19
Let the Walls Speak!
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2122/putpeoplefirstarchivepodf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Picture this: a government smashing student unions, big business crushing workers, police beating up anti-war protesters. But at the same time people are fighting back: women marching against violence, students shutting down uranium mines and Aboriginal people re-claiming their land.
This isn’t just 2007, it’s 1997, 1987, and 1977. And at key moments, art has played a crucial role in the struggle - illustrating and inspiring the power of social movements.
In 2007 Jura Books turns 30, and this exhibition is part of the celebration. For three decades Jura has been a base and an expression of many campaigns and movements, and has been collecting political posters. This exhibition is co-presented with the University of Sydney Union, as part of the Verge arts festival. It's happening over the APEC period - to bring art to the protest and protest to the art gallery.
The poster collection was re-discovered a few years ago gathering dustin the Jura Books library. This will be the first time they have been exhibited outside of Jura. There are now over 3,000 in the collection, from a diverse range of struggles ranging from early Aboriginal Land Rights struggles, the feminist movement, the Green Bans, anti-uranium mining, anti-Fraser and many many more. We’ll be showing a careful selection of about 100 posters.
Some of the most stunning posters are from the radical artist collectives which operated during the 1980s out of the (then squatted) Sydney Uni Tin Sheds. Powerful, eloquent and moving, these full colour posters use silk screening craft and artistic techniques unique to Australia and which have rarely been used since.
The Jura collection contains many Earthworks pieces - the seminal group of activist political artists in Sydney. There are also works from Toby Zoates and other artist run collectives that grew from the Earthworks experiment - Redback Graphix, Without Authority, Luifoil and many others. Attached is an image to whet your appetite, or check out our website for more. www.jura.org.au
Not only are the subjects of the posters political, but the method used to produce them was democratic and non-elitist – anyone could produce a poster with a little training and a lot of passion and dedication. The Earthworks Poster Collective would invite student and community groups to use the facilities, and often shared their skills with those who were just starting out using the silk screen processes. There will be talks by some of the original artists on the opening night.
At the same time as APEC politicians discuss prolonging the war, profiting from environmental devastation and silencing di sent, come and feast your eyes on the alternative: art which demands action and envisages a better world.
When?
5th to 19th September. Opening night is on Wednesday 5th September from 5pm, with talks by some of the original Earthworks artists. Food and drinks available. After that the exhibition will be open 10am till 4pm everyday except the 7th, 8th and 9th.
Where?
Sydney University Holme Building, the Bevery (on the Parramatta Rd side of the campus). The building is accessible for people who use wheelchairs.
How much?
Entry is free, although we are asking for donations if you can afford it - to help maintain the posters for another 30 years.
Jura Books
440 Parramatta Rd
Petersham
9550 9931
[email protected]
www.jura.org.au
Art for struggle! Struggle for art!
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2122/putpeoplefirstarchivepodf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Picture this: a government smashing student unions, big business crushing workers, police beating up anti-war protesters. But at the same time people are fighting back: women marching against violence, students shutting down uranium mines and Aboriginal people re-claiming their land.
This isn’t just 2007, it’s 1997, 1987, and 1977. And at key moments, art has played a crucial role in the struggle - illustrating and inspiring the power of social movements.
In 2007 Jura Books turns 30, and this exhibition is part of the celebration. For three decades Jura has been a base and an expression of many campaigns and movements, and has been collecting political posters. This exhibition is co-presented with the University of Sydney Union, as part of the Verge arts festival. It's happening over the APEC period - to bring art to the protest and protest to the art gallery.
The poster collection was re-discovered a few years ago gathering dustin the Jura Books library. This will be the first time they have been exhibited outside of Jura. There are now over 3,000 in the collection, from a diverse range of struggles ranging from early Aboriginal Land Rights struggles, the feminist movement, the Green Bans, anti-uranium mining, anti-Fraser and many many more. We’ll be showing a careful selection of about 100 posters.
Some of the most stunning posters are from the radical artist collectives which operated during the 1980s out of the (then squatted) Sydney Uni Tin Sheds. Powerful, eloquent and moving, these full colour posters use silk screening craft and artistic techniques unique to Australia and which have rarely been used since.
The Jura collection contains many Earthworks pieces - the seminal group of activist political artists in Sydney. There are also works from Toby Zoates and other artist run collectives that grew from the Earthworks experiment - Redback Graphix, Without Authority, Luifoil and many others. Attached is an image to whet your appetite, or check out our website for more. www.jura.org.au
Not only are the subjects of the posters political, but the method used to produce them was democratic and non-elitist – anyone could produce a poster with a little training and a lot of passion and dedication. The Earthworks Poster Collective would invite student and community groups to use the facilities, and often shared their skills with those who were just starting out using the silk screen processes. There will be talks by some of the original artists on the opening night.
At the same time as APEC politicians discuss prolonging the war, profiting from environmental devastation and silencing di sent, come and feast your eyes on the alternative: art which demands action and envisages a better world.
When?
5th to 19th September. Opening night is on Wednesday 5th September from 5pm, with talks by some of the original Earthworks artists. Food and drinks available. After that the exhibition will be open 10am till 4pm everyday except the 7th, 8th and 9th.
Where?
Sydney University Holme Building, the Bevery (on the Parramatta Rd side of the campus). The building is accessible for people who use wheelchairs.
How much?
Entry is free, although we are asking for donations if you can afford it - to help maintain the posters for another 30 years.
Jura Books
440 Parramatta Rd
Petersham
9550 9931
[email protected]
www.jura.org.au
Art for struggle! Struggle for art!