“Voices of the People!: 110+ Years of Sociopolitical Stickers from the USA” traces the history of sociopolitical stickers back to the early 20th century, beginning with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), who pioneered the use of “stickerettes” or “silent agitators” to combat poor working conditions and promote worker solidarity.
Highlighted in the feature wall exhibition is Woody Guthrie’s involvement with the IWW in the 1930s, illustrating how his music, including the famous “Union Maid,” was influenced by the IWW’s advocacy for workers’ rights and women’s rights within the labor movement.
The exhibit continues through the decades, featuring historical stickers from the ‘60s and ‘70s, used by groups protesting the Vietnam War. A series of LGBTQ stickers from the ‘80s and ’90s highlights the fight for gay rights during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Lastly, from the 2010s and ‘20s, a collection of stickers that address critical issues such as labor rights, environmental activism and the Black Lives Matter movement. Contemporary works by Dignidad Rebelde, Slavers of New York, the Amplifier Foundation and Shepard Fairey demonstrate the continued use of stickers to amplify the voices of grassroots movements and document ongoing struggles for justice.
Visitors to “Voices of the People!” can expect to come away with an understanding of the creative and impactful world of stickers by exploring their role in capturing the sociopolitical and cultural pulse of America over the past century.
