The Power of Protest Art
The following information, resources, and artworks was correlated by MADE IN BED’s Head of Features, Veda Lane, in response to the protests over the death of George Floyd.
In response to protests and the inherent greater issues underpinned by racial inequity internationally, art and protest resources have been compiled in this article. Art has long upheld and tested the stance of society and the works created at this time are of great historic gravity. They are hopeful, but more importantly they challenge systemic racism, complacency, and brutality. This article has been compiled from many voices to support the memory of those unjustifiably lost and the efforts of the protestors risking their health and lives to see a better future.
Protest art, street photography, notable fiction, scholarly resources, podcasts, profiles and links to support are provided on this page. Resources provided are shared in order to promote and encourage discussion. This is not every resource available. Hopefully, it’s a good start.
Learn what you can.
Do what you can.
Stay safe and keep others safe.
© Adrienne, Black Lives Matter, 2020. Source: @pockyhontas
© Angelo Rura, I can’t Breathe, 2020. Source: @angeloruta
© Caitlin Cheery, Loser Therapy, 2011. Source: @the_underboobcommons
© Calida Garcia Rawles, Lost in the Shuffle, 2019. Source: @calidagarciarawles
© Carlos Martiel, South Body, 2019. Source: @martielcarlos
© Cedric Smith, I am a Human Fucking Being, 2020. Source: @cetricsmithstudio
© Celia Amroune & Aline Kpade, Say it With Your Voice, 2020. Source: @sacree_frangine
© Devan Shimoyama, Flood, 2016. Source: @devanshimoyama
© Diedrick Brackens, In the Decade of Silence, 2018. Source: @ deedsweaves
© Floyd Strickland, Fly Away to Heaven, 2015. (Ongoing.) Source: @floyd_strickland
© Gary Taxali, White Supremacy Knee, 2020. Source: @taxali
© Hank Willis Thomas, Peace, date unknown. Source: @hankwillisthomas
© Hank Willis Thomas, The Unknown Solider, date unknown. Source: @hankwillisthomas
© Hank Willis Thomas, The Unknown Solider II, date unknown. Source: @hankwillisthomas
© Jammie Holmes, Dallas Please I Can’t Breathe, 2020. Source: @jholmes214
© Jarrett Key, I AM, 2015. Source: @jar.key
© Jas, If You Are Not Angry, 2020. Source: @illustratedbyjas
© Jasmyn Arnold, Untitled, 2020. Source: @bottlingsunshine
© Kambui Olujimi, 3rd Precinct Minneapolis, 2020. Source: @kambuiolujimi
© Lo Harris, Racism is Not Getting Worse its Getting Filmed, 2020. Source: @loharris_art
© Madelyn Sneed-Grays, Still a Negro II, 2019. Source: @artworkbymadelyn
McFlyy, Panthera Negra, 2020. Source: @mcflyy
© Michelle Robinson, Prevail, 2020. Source: @mister_michelle
© Mimi Moffie, I Don’t See Color, 2020. Source: @mimimoffie
© Monica Roebuck, Black Lives Matter, 2020. Source: @monicaroebuckart
© Nick Davis, Emotions of an Invisible Man, 2020. Source: @ndartlife
Qualeasha Wood, Woke Olympics, 2019. Source: @qualeasha
© Shirien, Defend Black Life, 2020. Source: @shirien.creates
© Shirien, Justice for Ahmaud, 2020. Source: @shirien.creates
Shirien, Justice for Breonna, 2020. Source: @shirien.creates
© Shirien, Justice for George, 2020. Source: @shirien.creates
What MIB readers and contributors can do from the UK
Write to your MP. You can find a letter/email template, along with information on how to contact your MP, here to ask that parliament acts against police brutality in the US and release the COVID-19 report on how BAME individuals are disproportionately affected.
This article was written by a community. We want to thank everyone who contributed to this article. You know who you are and you rock.
We have tried to maintain accuracy while posting protest art. However, the proliferation of popular imagery can seriously affect our ability to source the correct artist. If you are or know the artists that have created or taken these images, please reach out to us and we will ameliorate any inaccuracies.
Veda Lane,
Head of Features, MADE IN BED