Betye Saar
By Armand Limnander
Eight years ago, as the United States faced an unprecedented presidential election, we asked a group of artists to create the political posters they’d like to see. Four years after that, as Black Lives Matter protests roiled the country, artists of color shared with us their points of view. Astonishingly, we now find ourselves at an even more critical crossroads. With so much hanging in the balance, we are showcasing 14 original posters made by artists over the age of 70—members of a generation that understands firsthand just how important it is to vote. The fact that they took the time to participate—June Leaf passed away at age 94, just days after submitting her contribution—underscores the existential nature of the moment. Proud as we are to publish these works, we hope that in the next electoral cycle we will be in a position where this project won’t feel quite as urgent.
In honor of the 2024 US Elections, Betye Saar has created a poster featuring a drawing by Saar, made in 1971.