Enough of Trump: Using Art to Get Out the Vote
LA Weekly
By: Shana Nys Dambrot
“We’ve reached crisis proportions. I had to do something.”
This is globally renowned, Los Angeles-based artist Ed Ruscha, commenting on his participation in a newly launched arts-based initiative and print sale to benefit People for the American Way’s pre-election outreach. The collection is titled simply and clearly: ENOUGH of Trump. Proceeds fund PFAW’s “get out the vote” actions in these crucial last 100 days.
Decrying the racism, corruption, incompetence, and fascistic proclivities of the Trump administration, these artists have created the pieces not only as prints that are available for sale, but as social media-ready assets in a voting advocacy toolkit available to download free at the project’s website. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate, post, paste, and tag to amplify the message. Suggestions and plans offered by PFAW include display at “union halls and protests, on face masks and billboards, and on store windows shuttered by COVID.”
ENOUGH of Trump features new, original pieces created specifically for the #ArtTheVote campaign, by a diverse group of prominent American artists including Ruscha, Carrie Mae Weems (who helped spearhead the project), Shepard Fairey, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Jeffrey Gibson, Mark Thomas Gibson, Deborah Kass, Christine Sun Kim, Takaaki Matsumoto, Amalia Mesa-Bains, Beverly McIver, Sam Messer, Alyson Shotz, Hank Willis Thomas, and Cayetano Valenzuela.
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“I really believe that art can be a medium for both social justice and cultural change, and that’s why I’m so glad to be a part of the ENOUGH of Trump campaign and to see so many of my fellow artists taking part as well,” said participating artist LaToya Ruby Frazier. “Personally, I want to express that I have had enough of colonialism, heteropatriarchy, white supremacy, neoliberalism, environmental degradation, healthcare inequity, anti-intellectualism, and destruction of humanity that I see coming from this president. I hope the art we are all creating can move people on a deeper level – and ultimately, move us all to vote!”
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Courtesy of: LA Weekly
