How can art be a tool in social struggles?

 

From the hand-painted poster before the protest to the colorful posters of the 1960s, and from the murals painted by brigades to the message written in everyday life against a politician, all these expressions are part of our cultural richness.

 

In this context, art has the power to express and amplify collective emotions, connecting with the public and fostering meaningful conversations. Posters, specifically, with their design, reproduction, and distribution capabilities, capture specific moments, places, and feelings, connecting personal experiences with a collective consciousness. Perhaps nothing is more emotional and complex than living in a society that questions its political structures. Graphic artists are finding ways to process and visually represent the various aspects influenced by this collective awakening.

 

Chile Woke was born from the need to archive this artistic development, in response to and in solidarity with the sociopolitical situation Chileans faced in 2019. It emerges as a curatorial platform aimed at showcasing what the media often overlooks, disseminating the work of Chilean artists abroad and amplifying the voices of this social struggle throughout the rest of the continent. We extend our gratitude to each artist whose work is featured in Chile Woke; their contributions make this archive possible. 

 

The posters in this exhibition represent the voices of those who struggle daily for economic and social equality, as well as remember those who have recently been subjected to intimidation to silence their voices. They advocate for the recognition of Native cultures, environmental justice, access to water, and self-determination for people living under colonial states. This advocacy takes place in workplaces, on the streets, and in every imaginable sector. Our goal is to create connections between nations, transcending borders and oceans, because the fight for justice exists everywhere. We believe that resistance can emerge from every territory we share.

We recognize the importance of all art forms as acts of resistance. After six years, we have decided to expand the project and invite more artists from Chile and the rest of the continent to participate with their works to expand the Archivo (archive) Woke. If you would like to participate or know someone interested, please write to us; we would love to hear from you. We hope this project fosters solidarity and inspires people to take action and resist in every way possible. Ultimately, our goal is to promote dialogue about the urgent need for change in a world where outdated political models no longer serve us.