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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c. 2006

Poster has a drawing of a large hand at the top with small people and building puppets dangling. The puppets are of several business men and a farmworker with a conical shaped hat. The lower left...

1969

Poster has a large coiled green rattlesnake in the center. In the middle of the coil are small human figure outlines. On the snake's body is "expansion constricts people." Below...

Join the Domestic Workers Struggle for Justice
1983

Poster has a black and white image of a building in the upper right. In the center is a large female figure holding up handcuffs. Around her are people. The top of the poster reads, "Join...

Circa 2000

Poster has a red background with light blue drawings and text. The top edge has "Put the Pigs on Trial!" in outline blue lettering. Below are three outline blue figures. The figure on...

Circa 1979

Poster has black and white photographs of women protestors along the top edge. They are holding signs with "We want a contract" and "We'll hold this line till hell freezes...

1973

Poster is printed on dark red-orange cardstock with black ink. The center of the poster has an outlined drawing of a building in the background with crowds of people around. In the center is a...

c. 1969

Poster has two drawings of animal like figures. The figure on the left has a blue face and black mouse ears with a large red M on its shirt. The figure on the right has tall rabbit ears with red...

1968

Poster has three black and white photographs diagonally across the center. The photographs show different scenes of people protesting in large groups. Printed in black is "Symposium on protest/...

c. 1969

Poster has a yellow background with a round red logo in the center. The logo is like the Arm & Hammer brand with a man's muscular arm holding an iron hammer up. Around the edge is "Arm &...

1970

Poster has a bright pink background with black lettering and black and green images. In the center are two men embracing each other, one has his fist raised. Both men have on dark green shirts and...

National Chicano Human Rights Council: Chicano Moratorium of San Francisco - Bay Area
1992

Poster has red background with a yellow square in the center with an image. In the yellow square is a native man running with a stick raised next to a buffalo. Above the center square is, "...

c. 1980

Poster has a black and white drawing of a man standing in a metal shop. He is behind an anvil and is holding a hammer in one hand and raising a star in the other. The man is wearing a partially...

Solidarity with African Women in Struggle
n.d.

Poster has a burgundy and white photograph of two women in the center looking at a book. One woman has on a military uniform the other is in ethnic dress. Along the side are two yellow and...

Women hold up half the sky
n.d.

Poster has several black and white images of Asian women working in a factory. The top edge has a black bar with white text. It reads, "Women hold up half the sky." The bottom right...

Go fuck yourself! (Halliburton)
2008

Poster has an image of Dick Cheney dressed like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. He is mimicking the action Dr. Evil uses to say "one million dollars." The upper left has the logo for...

Back to skool week-again
circa 1970

Poster has a red background with a drawing of a head in profile. The head has sharp white teeth, orange face, and a green helmet on with a white logo. Below is a black bar with "Back to...

1987

Poster has a blue background that fades to grey with black and brown sketched people walking in protest. They are holding signs, one with the UFW logo. Above them reads, "March on Sacramento for...

2008

Poster has a drawing in the center of a woman holding a sign that reads, "No Iraqis Left me on a roof to die." The poster has text printed in black above and below the image. It reads, "End the...

1968

Poster has a black background with a large white drawing of a police pig. The pig is dressed as a police officer with a standard hat, jacket, shirt and tie. The tie is black with white checks. On...

A Boogie/ Un Baile: Benefit for July 4th Coalition
1976

Poster has balck silhouetted figures holding hands in a zig pattern across the poster. The bottom left figure is accented with red. Below the figures reads, "A Boogie/ Un Bailie" and...

Grove Street College: People's Law School
circa 1971

Center of the poster has a small circle with orange outlined figures of people. Around the center cirlce are two large orange cirlces that are interesected by white arrows pointing towards the...

AT&T. Your world. Delivered. Without a warrant.
2008

Poster has a black and white photograph of George W. Bush squinting and holding a headphone up to his ear. In the upper right is the AT&T logo. Below is "Your World. Delivered. Without...

1972

Poster has two large blue female shadows in the center. The shadows are over a sidewalk with cracks and leaves and stairs on the left. The right side of the sidewalk is purple and the left side is...

Culture Clash
1985

 

Poster has a gray background overall. Top edge has a small black rectangle with the text: "Comedy Troupe". Center of poster has a black and pink photograph of four...
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