Some of these posters are featured in an exhibit at the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design. (re)Framing Protest by Regina H. Boone and Sandra Sellers.
Summer 2020—national outrage, protests and awakening to 3 centuries of injustice, institutional racism, and constant class war - moved many, including myself to do something more. I worked with Richmond Protest Press to create a series of posters for anyone willing to march down Monument and across Richmond, united against the everyday violence inflicted upon Black Americans by the proto-fascists, racists, and colonialists within our Government.
Through the generous donations of Richmonders, thousnads of posters were distributed and over $2,000 was raised for the RVA Bail Fund, Richmond Food Bank, Blue Sky Fund, and the ACLU.
Returning to Monument Ave this summer, it struck me how little remained of what happened less than two years ago. To it’s credit, the city has worked to demolish and reclaim previous Confederate spaces, but in doing so - erased art installations, parks, gardens — almost all evidence of protest. I hope exhibits like this one at the Branch Museum, will continue to keep these ideas in a physical space, as a reminder for how far we’ve come, how united many of us actually are, and how much more there is to do.
Demand change.
Thursday, June 11, 2020. Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
‘ Creative expression and design – both directly and indirectly – influenced Richmond activists, artists, organizers, and others who mobilized during the summer of 2020 to collectively respond to communal trauma, systemic racism, and amplify the Black Lives Matter movement. In their creative output, we see the anger and anguish of a city, but also the vibrant and visceral hope for healing.
(re)Framing Protest – in partnership with Richmond Free Press photojournalists Regina H. Boone and Sandra Sellars,– offers a framework to explore how tactics such as graffiti and graphic design can give voice to traumatic social unrest while also becoming a transformative blueprint for unexpected placemaking and community building. ‘
Exhibition runs June 19-Sep 11 2022
Branch Museum of Architecture and Design - Richmond, VA
