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.

View results as Grid View results as List Browse Full Collection Advanced Search

Ant Farm 2004 Poster has a multicolor background image of an automobile buried halfway into the dirt. At the top, in the blue sky, is "Ant Farm" in green and "1968-1978" in white. At the rigth center is "...	Enrique Chagoya-Flores Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a black background. At the top is a white arching arrow. Vertically up the left is "Enrique Chagoya-Flores / Martin-Weber Studio, 220 8th St, San" in red...
Collateral Damage Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster background has a black map of San Francisco printed on white paper. Rhode Island and 17th Streets are the epicenter for red radiating circles. A wedge from the streets leads to the pyramid...	Art from Hell Inkworks Press Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black text and images printed on a gray background. On the top edge is "Art from Hell" followed by a reproduction of an artwork showing people working. Across the top is "when preachers...
Art on the Move 1994 Poster printed on white paper. At the top is a blue background with yellow, black and red circling arrows. At the bottom of the blue is "Art On The Move" in yellow. Below the blue is "A Benefit...	Creative Explorations Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster printed on white paper. At the top is "Creative Explorations" in red, "The Art Store''s Berkeley Grand Opening Exhibition Of Outsider Art" in black, and "Creative Growth Art Center -...
Picture Progress Inkworks Press, printer Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has a background image of a red and orange sky meeting a black horizon with stylized black images of artists - a painter holding up a paint brush, a photogrpaher using her camera, and a...	Draw Me Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black ink printed on white paper. At the top is "Sam''s Cafe / 1st annual invitational dirty art show..." followed by a sketch of a penis. At the center is "Draw Me / Fabulous Prizes!:...
The Walls of This City Shall Become an Anti-Imperialist Art Gallery Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black ink printed on white paper. At the top is a dotted photo of figures looking up at signs posted on columns of a building. The bottom of the poster has a black background with "The...	La Pena 1980 Poster has a red printed background with a central white star. Black text on the poster reads "La Pena / 5th / anniversary / celebration / May 1 - June 7, 1980 / 3105 Shattuck, Berk 849-2568".
Post 1963 Poster printed on white paper. At the top is a blue illustration of three men with guns, one crouching down as the other point their weapons into the sky. At the top left is "Post / The saturday...	Processed World Circa 1982 Poster has black ink printed on white paper. At the top is "Processed World" with a San Francisco address, phone number and fax number. At the left is a 3x3 comic strip titled "...
12th Annual Ink Slingers Ball 2003 Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a neon pink background with irange flowers. A tthe bottom is a white circle with a blcak shaded female figure. Orange lines swirl outward from the image...	Stop the Phony Sale Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a black background. At the left is a fill pattern of green dollar signs with a red stop sign over the top with the text: "Stop / The Phony / Sale" in...
First Birthday Party Celebration Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has black ink printed on beige/yellow paper. At the top is a stylized image of a glowing light bulb. At the bottom fo the poster is "First Birthday Party / Celebration! / To Benefit / the...	untitled (amusement park) Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has red ink printed on white paper showing a stylized scene of a line at the front of an amusement park, with the rides visible in the background. Over the entrance is "Luna Park". On the...
The 28rd Annual St. Stupid's Day Parade Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has white unprinted edges enclosing a black printed background with white text and a stylized logo near the top showing a stylized figure with a halo, with the text "First Church / Last...	2004 East Bay Open Studios 2004 Poster printed on white paper. The top edge is black with "Pro Arts Celebrates 30 Years" in white. The top right and bottom left of the poster is green, with green striped on the white background...
untitled (schedule of events and photo of men sitting against a wall) Zoe Brown, photographer 1967 Poster has a black and white background photo of two men in cowboy hats sitting against a wooden wall. At the top of the poster, in three columns, is a schedule of events in red, from September 27...	Drowning Resistance: A Political Art Show Late 20th Early 21st Century Poster has purple unprinted edges enclosing a black background with purple and blue text and an image of a purple flume filled with blue airplanes over a black and purple image of people riding in...
Filthworld Expo 96 1996 Poster printed on whtie paper. At the top lef tan dright is "help us" and "help you" on multicolor background. Arched in pastels at the top is "Filthworld / Expo ''96". Centered below the text is...	Berkeley Festival of the Arts Inkworks Press 1999 Poster has purple printed edges enclosing a stylized image of a blue sky with white clouds. Over the bottom left of the image is a purple shaded profile image of a figure playing a horn. At the...
10th Annual Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival 2006 Poster has a mint green printed background. At the left and right are stylized, multicolor images painted on wood. At the top is a logo and "10th annual mission creek / music & arts festival...	Peace or Perish: Multi Media Rock Marathon 1983 Poster has a black printed background. At the top is "Monday-Saturday December 5-10 / 7pm-1am $5, $ Seniors, Students / 435 On Broadway Theater" in pink. Below the text is a stylized orange and...