Walter Crane was a British artist and illustrator. He was associated with the arts and crafts movement and was considered one of the most influential children's book illustrators of his generation, with nursey motifs that still endure.
however its his illustrations for the British socialist movement that are interest to my research.
History work shop website Describes his Workers Maypole illustration as" powerful yet whimsical, bringing together English folk tradition and the demands of the international labour movement"
A garland for May is another illustration for the caused and was published in the socialist magazine "Clarion" to highlight the current issues around working conditions and child labour.
Ive used these images again to highlight this connection to folk tradition and rebellion. This idyllic imagery used as a protest. The idea of community and power of the working folk to create change for them selves. Its a theme that always relevant especially in our current economical situation, were many of our public sector workers are striking for a better deal.
The work below by artist Andrea Bowers is a drawing of Cranes maypole work. made with permeant marker on reclaimed cardboard boxes, She chose to use the same materials that she saw being used in the occupy encampments in New York in protest against economical and social inequality
Its part of a series of works taking images from historic political pamphlets and graphic campaigns that she has adapted to modern day issues in the same vein. Again for me this just reinforces theses connections of class and hardship and protest.
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