Graphic designers are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and current protests, sharing illustrations and links to resources that people can use to help others and educate themselves. We’ve rounded up just a few of the many artworks created to spread the message.
Worldwide, people are joining marches in solidarity with protestors in America condemning the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other black men and women who have died at the hands of police officers in the US.
Floyd was killed by officers in Minneapolis on Monday 25 May. Just one of the four men involved in the incident – Derek Chauvin – has been charged with third-degree murder, while the others have been fired.
As protests continue, illustrators and artists have used their talents to create visual reminders of the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as using their platforms to spread information on how to help.
This includes publicising various charities and funds that people can donate to, petitions they can sign, as well as other resources like books and articles that non-people of colour (POC) can use to educate themselves on the issues.
“Illustrators hold a responsibility not only to be aware of the lack of diversity within mainstream media but also to strive to create representational multicultural artworks that create positive change,” said artist Harriet Lee-Merrion.
Here are 17 artists using their work to support the Black Lives Matter movement:
British data journalist and writer Mona Chalabi has created a series of illustrations outlining the statistics of POC killed by police officers in the US.
Chalabi has also used her work to encourage people to support black-owned businesses, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Creative duo Sacrée Frangine, composed of Célia Amroune and Aline Kpade, has designed a series of collage-like illustrations of figures with the words “black lives matter”, “black children matter” and “black futures matter” written across their faces in place of features.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_57OoCBwLy/?utm_source=ig_embed
This image by Korean-American illustrator Courtney Ahn has been widely circulated across Instagram, alongside a post titled A Guide to White Privilege that the artist published earlier this year in February.
Sharing her thoughts on white privilege and systemic racism, Ahn’s post reads: “White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard, it means your skin tone isn’t one of the things making it harder.”
Her post also includes examples of how people can use their white privilege to help, including listening to and amplifying the voices of POC, as well as confronting racial injustices.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8vfmdDhYQ/?utm_source=ig_embed
Black Latin American artist and author Reyna Noriega used her art to show two different sides of the same scene in her duo of illustrations posted to Instagram in support of racial equality.
“The world is bleeding,” reads her caption. “We have a gaping hole that can’t be filled with anymore bandaids. We need to confront this issue head on.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAwDWhUHNPP/?utm_source=ig_embed
North Carolina-based illustrator Brandy Chieco created an artwork titled Enough is Enough to support the protests against racial inequality.
Chieco has made prints of the artwork as well as t-shirts and stickers featuring it available to purchase, with all proceeds going to the Black Lives Matter organisation.
“White and white-passing people: If you want to help but you’re not sure how, start by educating yourself. Knowledge is power,” reads the artist’s Instagram post.
Paris-based graphic designer Quentin Monge created an illustration of two figures, one white and one black, embracing one another, alongside a caption stating that “there will never be enough” Black Lives Matter posts.
This Belgium-based illustrator, who goes by the name Worry Lines, also used their characteristically simple drawing technique to depict the different ways that people can “show up” for the Black Lives Matter movement.
This includes joining the protests, making donations, sharing the message both on and off of social media, and learning more about the issues.
Brooklyn-based illustrator Sarah Wasko used her work to bring light to black trans people who have been murdered as a result of police violence.
Her drawing depicts transgender woman Nina Pop, who was found stabbed to death in her Missouri apartment on 3 May 2020, and Tony McDade, a transgender man who was shot and killed by police in Florida on 27 May 2020.
Paris-based illustrator Aurélia Durand used her typically vibrant style to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
The artist also recently illustrated the book titled This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and do the work, by Tiffany Jewell.
Kristen Barnhart, who is based in Texas, shared an illustration of a floating figure surrounded by stars and a speech bubble saying “Do Something!”
In her caption, Barnhart linked to accounts of figures she has found useful as sources for learning about racial inequality, including Rachel Elizabeth Cargle, Akilah and Ericka Hart.
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This article first appeared in www.dezeen.com
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