Posters of American Social Realism and the Great Depression September 30, 2010

On display are graphic works created for public and private organizations from 1929 through the full economic recovery of the 1950s. Among the artists of these posters are the multi-talented Ben Shahn, John Steuart Curry and a cadre of anonymous artists toiling to create posters for the WPA (Work Projects Administration) and other New Deal Agencies. All of the posters exhibited are original printings, and include five posters created by Shahn for the CIO Political Action Committee. These rare posters utilize Shahn's highly stylized imagery of the common man in his struggle to achieve equality and succeed. Of special interest is the anonymously created 'Rural Slums on Worn Out Lands' a Federal Resettlement Administration poster. Also on display will be a WPA poster created by Louis Siegriest for the Golden Gate Exposition in 1939, and several anonymous WPA posters created for the NY and CT WPAs.