Celebrating the Collective Spirit of Those on the Margins

Many of the most memorable posters Inkworks has printed since the early 1980s are from Bay Area artist, Doug Minkler. His unique style is instantly recognizable along with his work’s consistent commitment to challenging injustices and working for peace.

Doug has worked closely with Inkworks over the years to publish some of of the shop’s most well known posters including ‘The US Government Doesn’t Know Beans’ and ‘Art is not a Mirror’.  He recently printed a series of posters –some brand new and others a bit older– at Inkworks using our short run digital printing capabilities. A gallery of these posters is below along with a statement from the artist, his explanation of the beautiful ‘Duty to Act’ poster, and where to get more information about his work and the drawing classes he offers for kids.

Duty to Act:

The Einstein quote poster was created  as a result of teaching childrens art classes. I used the dragon imagery to stimulate the kids sense of invention and playfulness.  As I repeatedly drew the Asian dragon I  discovered  I had a deep affinity for this ancient form. In time I learned the Phoenix was the balancing female energy and  the two symbols together are thought to bring good luck, prosperity, unity, marital harmony and a string of other positive attributes to the observer. In an effort to harness these positive symbols for the purpose of addressing a urgent crisis of our times I connected Albert Einstein’s famous contemporary call to action. The final task of which I am today still involved in is joining the poster to an organization. Ideally I work the other way around–an organization seeks me out to create a poster for their/our  cause. I have been making posters too long to believe i can wait for ideal working conditions.

Other Recently Printed Work:

Imagine poster with a quote about fairy tales from Albert Einstein, 1993

A poster for the Transport Workers on the 75th Anniversary of the San Francisco General strike, 2009

Poster about the radical accomplishments of the ILWU, 2008

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Corporations want artists to glorify their wars, their products & their philosophies. I make posters for my own preservation, that is, planetary preservation. My prints are inspired not by rugged individualism, but by the collective humor, defiance, & lust for life exhibited by those on the margins.

The US Government claims that only through a massive military economy and preemptive wars can peace and justice be maintained. I am among a growing number of artists who disagree.  We are asking, “Peace for who?” and “What kind of justice?” And with our art we are answering: “Peace for all nations” and “Egalitarian justice”.  We are putting our creativity in the service of like-minded organizations.

Past collaborations include: International Longshore Workers Union, Rain Forest Action Network, SF Mime Troupe, American Civil Liberties Union, Lawyers Guild, Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, United Auto Workers, Africa Information Network, Ecumenical Peace Union, ADAPT, De-Bug, Cop Watch, Street Sheet and Veterans for Peace, United Educators of San Francisco.

FOR MORE INFO:
www.dminkler.com
dminkler@dminkler.com

Kids Drop-in Classes,  Drawing the Unusual
Sunday mornings 10:30-11:45am
For more info call  (510) 548-7119
Berkeley, CA