Alt means – Research work.
Design
Keith Haring & AIDS activism
Keith Haring died in 1990 but his legacy and influence still lives on through his art, still leaving an effect on art activism today. Throughout his career Haring used his Pop-Art style more accessible to the general public in order to easily reach the masses.
Today Harings art is still as accessible as it was when he was alive. His art is spread onto T-shirts, Hats, Shoes, Bags and Badges.
During the 1980s, he made art which addressed socially important issues. His specially designed posters were given out at anti-nuclear and anti-apartheid rallies. He also campaigned for AIDS awareness, through his famous slogan Silence = Death. Haring’s art was extremely effective as it forced people to talk about AIDS.
“Art is nothing if you don’t reach every segment of the people” – Keith Haring.
Art
Paula Rego & abortion rights
Portuguese artist, born in 1998, Paula Rego created art pieces called “Untitled”. Rego used pastels to convey a very effective message on abortion rights in Portugal.
Rego used her work to challenge a referendum to that failed to legalise abortions in Portugal leaving women to get get back street abortions risking lives.
Each canvas depicted a women suffering during an unsafe backstreet abortion. When the series was exhibited in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, many were disgusted with her art. Rego’s work is stated to have been critical in changing the Portuguese publics opinion on the extremely controversial topic. It’s a perfect example of Protest Art and it’s effects on society. Which led to the Abortion Laws in Portugal being Liberalised in 2010.
“It highlights the fear and pain and danger of an illegal abortion, which is what desperate women have always resorted to. It’s very wrong to criminalise women on top of everything else. Making abortions illegal is forcing women to the backstreet solution. I’m doing what I can with my work but both men and women need to stand up to this. It affects men too. You don’t get pregnant on your own do you?” – Paula Rego.