The People’s Printshop

Jon Hall, one our creative directors, put together a great post on some amazing Mexican artwork on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Thanks Jon! Enjoy.

I recently went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and visited their new (and somewhat controversial) Latin American art exhibit. One element of the exhibit shows a number of works from what was called the Taller de Gráfica Popular (The People’s Printshop), also known as TGP.

Formed in 1937, TGP was a collective of artists in Mexico City. I was greatly moved by art by TGP. It made me see how a group of people, rallied around a cause of hope, truth and social justice, can leverage art to make a difference, especially for those with no voice.

There were a few things that were revolutionary about these guys.

1. Their Purpose
The founders were accomplished artists, rallied together and leveraging art to speak out against the oppression and exploitation of the poor in post-revolutionary Mexico.

2. Their Method
They used linoleum wood block to create works of art. After carving it, they would ink it and make multiple prints onto paper. This allowed them to cheaply and quickly get their art out to the masses. As a result, their message, through art, got into the hands of both the oppressed and the influencers, the poor and the wealthy, with equal effectiveness. Their art is considered didactic, sociopolitical art. It was purposeful and carried an important message. And since it was usually art and imagery, the message could be carried to any audience, illiterate or not (illiteracy was a real issue in 1930’s Mexico).

3. Their Inclusivity
Art, as well as many artists, tend to be an exclusive bunch. They stick to their own. TGP busted down these barriers, getting their message through art into the hands of a diverse audience. More than that, they were radically inclusive within their collective, including artists of all ethnic, cultural and economic status. 

A group of people rallied around a single cause. Their vehicle was simple, effective, and radically inclusive of people of all types, centered on helping those less fortunate. Kinda sounds like the early church to me. No wonder TGP was so effective. This also made me realize the power art and design can have, particularly for delivering a message of importance. Even more, the power of art through a collective, a group of people rallied around a common cause. 

Check out the exhibit at the LACMA website »

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