Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union

Media - 1995.50.58 - SAAM-1995.50.58_2 - 138234
Copied Xavier Viramontes, Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union, 1973, offset lithograph on paper, image: 21 3⁄4 x 16 in. (55.3 x 40.6 cm) sheet (irregular): 23 5⁄8 x 17 1⁄2 in. (60 x 44.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tomás Ybarra-Frausto, 1995.50.58, © 1973, Xavier Viramontes

Artwork Details

Title
Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union
Artist
Date
1973
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
image: 21 3⁄4 x 16 in. (55.3 x 40.6 cm) sheet (irregular): 23 5⁄8 x 17 1⁄2 in. (60 x 44.6 cm)
Copyright
© 1973, Xavier Viramontes
Credit Line
Gift of Tomás Ybarra-Frausto
Mediums Description
offset lithograph on paper
Classifications
Keywords
  • History — United States — labor history
  • Allegory — civic — rebellion
  • Figure male
  • Occupation — farm
  • Object — fruit — grape
Object Number
1995.50.58
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1995.50.58

Artwork Description

Viramontes created Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union the year César Chávez initiated a new grape boycott in response to the Teamsters' violent intervention in disputes between the UFW and California growers. Viramontes was aware of the Teamsters' brutal tactics, which likely informed his imagery of a formidable Aztec warrior squeezing grapes that spew blood instead of juice. The artist suggested that the UFW sell the poster to support the boycott. While the union initially believed the blood symbolism was too graphic, they began selling the print via mail order through El Malcriado, the UFW newspaper.

¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now, 2020

Description in Spanish

Viramontes creó Boicot de las uvas, apoyo para los trabajadores de la Unión de Campesinos, el año en que César Chávez empezó un nuevo boicot de las uvas, en respuesta à la violenta intervención del sindicato Teamsters en las conflictos entre la Unión de Campesinos y los productores de uvas de California. Viramontes conocía bien las tácticas brutales de los Teamsters y estas probablemente fueron la inspiración para sus imágenes de un formidable guerrero azteca exprimiendo uvas que soltaban sangre en lugar de jugo. El artista sugirió que la Unión de Campesinos (UFW) vendiera el cartel para apoyar el boicot. Aunque inicialmente el sindicato pensó que el simbolismo de la sangre era demasiado crudo, decidieron empezar a vender el grabado por correo y los pedidos se hacían a través de El Malcriado, el periódico de la UFW.

¡Imprimir la revolución! Auge e impacto de las obras gráficas chicanas, desde 1965 hasta hoy, 2020

Exhibitions

Media - 2011.12 - SAAM-2011.12_1 - 77591
Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art
October 24, 2013–March 2, 2014
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art presents the rich and varied contributions of Latino artists in the United States since the mid-twentieth century, when the concept of a collective Latino identity began to emerge.

Related Posts