Political Posters

The “All Of Us Or None” (AOUON) archive project was started by Free Speech Movement activist Michael Rossman in 1977 to gather and document posters of modern progressive movements in the United States. Though some early works are included, its focus is on the domestic political poster renaissance that began in 1965 and continues to this day. When Rossman died May 12, 2008 his family donated the collection to the Oakland Museum of California. More …

The Archive gathered posters from all streams of progressive activity — from movements of protest, liberation, and affirmative action, trade union and community struggles, to electoral and environmental organizing, community services, and visionary manifestos. It is strongest in work from the San Francisco Bay Area, but its scope is national: approximately one-quarter of its holdings come from out of state, primarily New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. These are complemented by a representation of international work. The collection consists of approximately 24,500 distinct titles.

The collection includes examples from well-known graphic artists including Malaquías Montoya, Emory Douglas, Rachael Romero, Rupert Garcia, Yolanda Lopez, Favianna Rodriguez, Carlos Cortez, Nancy Hom, Juan Fuentes, and Jos Sances, as well as material from seminal collective workshops such as La Raza Silkscreen, the Royal Chicano Air Force, Japantown Art and Media, Kearny Street Workshop, and Inkworks Press. Perhaps more important, the depth and breadth of the collection reveals the contribution of numerous lesser known or even anonymous artists whose cumulative impact on this democratic public art form has yet to be properly understood.

The cataloging of the AOUON Archive was made possible by a generous grant from the Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation.

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All Things Conspire to Inspire Maigen Elske, designer 1989 Poster has white unprinted edge enclosing a black background with white text and white stars and planets in outer space. Near the center is "all things conspire / to inspire".	Summer Solstice Celebration 1979 Multicolor poster has either a sun or a moon on a blue sky with birds flying overhead at the top and a brown bottom with plants growing at the left. At the right, a rainbow arches down to "Summer...
Special Election Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster printed on white paper. At the top and bottom are strips of yellow with white text reading "special election, Nov. 8 / Vote No on props 73-18". At the center is a black and white photo of...	Camp Harmony Late 20th Early 21st Century Multicolor poster has a background image of a lit up tent with trees and a sunset in the background. At the top, in the black night sky, UFOs have been imposed at the left and right. Text at the...
The New Day May Day Parade 1977 Poster has red and blue ink printed on white paper. At the top is "The / New Day / May Day / Parade" in stars and stripes. At the bottom of the poster is "A Celebration / In Honor Of / Equal Dress...	untitled (figures in front of the Capitol) Charles Bragg circa 1974 Poster has black ink printed on white paper with a stylized image of prominent figures from America''s history gathered in front of the US Capitol building. Faces include Roosevelt,...
A Berkeley Calendar 1980 Poster has brown ink printed on off-white paper. At the top is a stylized image of a woman standing below a giant wreath, with a banner of text wrapping around the wreath, falling on the grass....	The 1980 Berkeley Erotic Film Fest 1980 Poster has blue text and images printed on a tan background. At the top right is "The 1980 Berkeley / Erotic Film Fest". To the left and below the text are stylized comic strip-like, sensual...
Trees are Falling Maigen Elske, designer 1990 Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a black background with white trees and text reading "trees are falling / mother is calling".	Counter Culture Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a color photo showing a snowboarder do a trick, with a snow covered mountain and a blue sky in the background. At the top left is "jim rippey / backside 540" printed in green. At the...
Volcano 1980 Poster has a blue printed background with a central stylized graphic of two green men facing each other, with an orange erupting volcano at the center. The plume of smoke/ash raising from the...	No on 17 Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black ink printed on white paper. At the left is a stylized image of Justice tied to a chair, with her scales dangling unevenly at the right. On the right side of the poster is "No / On...
There are Those Who Live Inkworks Press, printer, Maigen Elske, designer 1986 Poster has red ink printed on white paper. The edges are red with text down the left side reading "there are those / who / only live / for / themselves / and there are / those who live". At the...	Juan M. Soliz Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has brown printed background with white text and a central black and white photo of a man standing in the middle of the street wearing a trench coat. At the top left is "Punch / 76" and at...
Freak Fest 1998 Multicolor poster has a stylized image of a robot-like figure leaning against an old convertible car. At the top is "Freebass Society Presents" in white followed by "FreakFest / return to...	Vote for Reform Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black printed background. At the top is "vote for / reform." in white. At the bottom is "Bloom" in red and "Democrat For / State''s Attorney" in white.
The Cosmic Aeroplane 1978 Poster has a black printed background. At the top is a multicolor stylized image of a naked blue woman floating above the ocean near a beach, controling the water with her hand and turning into...	Mel Mason for Governor Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster printed on white paper. At the top is "Mel / Mason / for governor!" in red. At the center is a horizontal strip of red with a black and white photo of a man''s face. At the bottom of the...
untitled (pictures forming an American flag) 2002 Poster has lines of text and images arranged to look like an American flag. At the left, where the stars typically are, is a photo of a smiling man. The rows of images show other figures. The...	Todd Chretien Late 20th Early 21st Century Top of poster has a green background with "A Million Votes For Peace" in white. Near the center is an unprinted white background with "Todd Chretien" in green. At the bottom is a green background...
untitled (Bella Abzug newspaper clippings) 1975 Poster has white unprinted edges with a pale blue background with images of newspaper clippings regarding the actions of Bella Abzug. Centered at the top is "Congresswoman Bella Abzug''s fight for...	Shut Down the War Machine Inkworks Press, printer Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has red/brown ink printed on white paper. At the top is "shut down the / war machine". At the bottom left is the Peace and Freedom Party dove and chain logo. At the bottom right is "Peace...
Community Forum Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has blue ink printed on yellow paper. At the center is a background of doves, chains and stars. At the top is an oval with "Peace And Freedom / Movement / Community Forum / Sunday March 10...	Haight Ashbury Street Faire 1992 Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a black background with a yellow chevron pattern. At the top is "The Fifteenth Annual / Haight Ashbury / Street Faire" in white and red over a yellow "15...