Rupert García created his first posters as a student activist at San Francisco State College in the 1960s. Involved in the Chicano movement as well as a wide range of anti-colonialist causes, he publicized his views using both silkscreen and offset graphics. His work was deeply influenced by other political art of his era, including the Black Panther newsletters of Emory Douglas, photographs of his mentor John Guttman, performances of El Teatro Campesino, and Cuban posters. His other inspiration was Pop Art, the subject of his ultimately critical Master’s thesis. His work – overtly political imagery in vibrant colors and simplified, graphic shapes – demonstrates the merging of these interests.
Libertad Para Los Prisoneros Políticas! exemplifies his signature style – tightly cropped, close-up portraits – in this case showing civil rights activist and professor Angela Davis. Following her 1970 arrest on murder charges, an international movement arose calling for her freedom. Musicians including John Lennon and Yoko Ono and the Rolling Stones wrote songs to draw attention to her imprisonment, and her face became ubiquitous on buttons and posters. As a testament to the power of García’s depiction of Davis, the image was reproduced for further distribution by the leftist Peace Press in Los Angeles. Davis was acquitted of all charges in 1972.
Staci Steinberger, Associate Curator, Decorative Arts and Design, 2021
