AL STAPLES

Together

This was my final project for my printmaking class. The assignment was to choose any printing medium we learned throughout the semester and create a politically and/or socially oriented
activist piece. We had the liberty of choosing any topic that we’re passionate about. For inspiration I looked at a lot of resistance art from the Black Panther Party and reflected on my personal protest experiences. I chose to do a linocut block, the first medium we learned, because it came easiest to me. This process was a bit challenging for me because I normally carve out the negative space of my block, but I did the opposite for this piece. This was also the
only project that I incorporated a rainbow roll, hence the gradient of black, red, and orange. I created two versions of the gradient, and I hope to try different gradient and text colors when the print studio has open proctor hours. “Together” is by far my favorite print in design, process, and execution.