Emory Douglas is a revolutionary artist and agent of social change. He creates a vocabulary of images that exemplify how art can express political consciousness and function within an activist context. His work will be exhibited at the Sheldon Museum of Art from mid-August through December. Emory Douglas will be an artist in residence in the Department of Art and Art History, September 15-16, 2015.

The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary organization for social justice active in the United States from 1966 until 1980. Community social programs, such as free breakfast for school children and free health and dental clinics, sickle-cell testing and voter registration assistance were core activities of the Party. In addition they formed alliances with other oppressed groups in the struggle for equality and social justice.

Emory Douglas creates a vocabulary of images that exemplify how art can express political consciousness and function within an activist context. His imagery is accessible, powerful and inspires people to action. He is a revolutionary artist and agent of social change. The struggle for justice continues, and Emory’s art and what the Party fought for are as pertinent as ever.

Emory Douglas will present a free public lecture on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheldon.

Exhibition
August 11 – January 03, 2016
Sheldon Museum of Art

Public Lecture
5:30 p.m., September 15
Sheldon Museum Auditorium

Panel Discussion
5:30 p.m., September 16
Love Library Auditorium

The events and exhibitions of the Design + Social Justice Symposium will highlight the visual communications, stories and portraits of revolutionary social movements and will examine how graphic design was a tool for organizing. The graphic artifacts that will be exhibited represent the role of art as a revolutionary force and how art and design can communicate about a need for social change. The symposium will examine the role of graphic design in creating messages that promote civil and human rights, preservation of the environment, and advocacy of equal opportunity. The lectures, panel discussions and exhibitions will feature images and printed matter.

The Design + Social Justice Symposium is sponsored by UNL’s Hixson-Lied Fine and Performing Arts Visiting Artist Program, Institute for Ethnic Studies, Love Library, the Faculty Senate Convocations Committee and the Department of Art & Art History. Special thank you to The Sheldon Museum of Art and Humanities Nebraska for their generous support.

All Symposium events are free and open to the public.