Juneteenth — 11x17 Riso Print (3rd Run)
They’re back! We found a few extra prints in the studio flat files.
Juneteenth is a celebration of the freeing of enslaved Texans in 1865 as much as it is a reminder of our continued struggle for liberation and equity as Black Americans. The symbolism in this print speaks to the history of the holiday and the traditions that help us celebrate it today.
11 x 17 inch signed risograph print in red and blue ink on white text weight paper.
Printing services and paper donated by Natalie Center & Print Shop LA <3
Symbolism in the artwork:
JUNETEENTH commemorates June 19th announcement that came over 21/2 years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. From the Union’s perspective, the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were already free—but none of them were aware of it, and no one was in a rush to inform them.
STRAWBERRIES Strawberry soda is a tradition at Juneteenth cookouts. The young berries and leaves represent the fact that our struggle still continues—our liberation is an ongoing process.
SINGLE BLOOM A reference to the Lone Star State and Juneteenth flags. In 1980, Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday.
BERRY CROWNS The 12-point leaves on each fruit reference the Juneteenth flag’s “new star,” symbolizing a new freedom and a new people.
RED, WHITE, & BLUE Freed folks were Americans—and deserved citizens’ rights.
CURVE The curved type also references the Juneteenth flag, which uses a curved line to represent the horizon and the new opportunities ahead.
LETTERING Inspiration included jazz instruments, New Orleans ironwork, rodeo posters, folk album covers, and the intro to Beyonce’s “Daddy Lessons”.
PROCEEDS 35% TGI Justice, 35% Last Prisoner Project, 30% supports the artist.