Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Honored in Mexico City: Part of the Legacy of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo and JG Posada

In this poster from left to right are Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo, Maria Antonia Medrano and young Fidel Castro Ruz.  The legacy of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo and JG Posada is demonstrated here by answering the question whether Arsacio would have been in a position to help the Cuban Revolution if his grandfather and Posada had not had such a successful collaboration? We will explore this concept in the documentary.

Website Launched for Jose Guadalupe Posada and Antonio Vanegas Arroyo Documnetary

http://www.artandrevolutions.com/ We have now launched our website! Please visit and watch the trailer for the film!

Jose Guadalupe Posada and El Mosquito Americano

This cartoon attributed to Posada and published by Antonio Vanegas Arroyo shows Mexican citizens being attacked by "Americanos" depicted as mosquitos. But what is the actual meaning? Based on the verses that accompanied the image and on currrent events, there are at least three interpretations. But regardless of the interpretation the message is humor filled and with a dash of the acidic.

Jose Guadalupe Posada Calaveras Inspire Modern Merchandise Design

Calaveras del Monton is a real action image. Note how Posada skillfully makes the calavera with the knife appear as though he is leaping out of the scene. Many of the images Posada created were used over and over by Vanegas Arroyo. There are two solid reasons for this: first, it was economical as the image was bought and paid for plus there was no waiting for a new image to be made and second, if an image was good, it sold broadsides. The image shown here  appears in at least six different titles in as many years, making it one of Posada's most popular. Designed by Edgar Collazo this T-Shirt on the bottom left borrows from the Posada image above, perhaps it is better to "shred" with a guitar than with a knife!

Uncle Sam Eats Cuba: A Political Cartoon Attributed to Jose Guadalupe Posada

During our research related to the documentary film about the collaboration between publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo and Jose Guadalupe Posada we have found a variety of political cartoons which although apparently unsigned have been attributed to Posada by several authors. In this image Tio Sam "aka" Uncle Sam is portrayed with an evil look in his eyes as he is about to devour a little head representing Cuba. We suspect the cartoon was made some time after 1898, post the Spanish - American War, when Cuba was newly under US military rule. We hope to find the original published source of the image and anyone reading this is welcomed to help! Note also that Mexico is also on the plate!

Don Antonio Vanegas Arroyo hired Jose Guadalupe Posada

      The art world has given attention to the artistic genius of Jose Guadalupe Posada but what of don Antonio Vanegas Arroyo (b. Puebla, Mexico 1852- d. Mexico City, 1917)? Vanegas Arroyo recognized Posada's talents by hiring him. But it was much more than just the hiring of a talented artist. Once the talents of Posada were combined with the editorial pen, staff of writers and business savvy of Vanegas Arroyo, a formula for success was created. The successful body of work they produced set a stage upon which generations of artists would ply their own talents toward roles in shaping history. The documentary we are working on will examine and cast a bright light for the first time on the career of don Antonio and also his family who carried on his traditions in the publishing business. We believe there are connections and influences that extend well beyond the borders of Mexico.  The collaboration of Vanegas Arroyo and Posada helped inspire use of art in social movements as with the Taller de Grafica Popular and the A.S.A.R.O print workshop in Oxaca, but also civil rights movements in the USA. There is also the support given by the family to the Cuban Revolution. We hope ultimately to reveal and examine the historical record of these relationships for future generations.

Jose Guadalupe Posada at SFSU Art Gallery Exhibition México: Política y Poética

San Francisco State University is presenting México: Política y Poética an exciting exhibition of contemporary art from Mexico running from February 17 through March 24, with multiple related public programs. After leaving SF State, the exhibition will travel to Sweden's Nordic Watercolor Museum. Works by Jose Guadalupe Posada from the New World Prints Collection are on display.

The items to the right a include 5) a Posada illustrated broadside with a calavera , 6) a work by Ramos Martinez, 10) a work by Daniel Guzman and 11) a work by Dr Lakra. http://www.sfsu.edu/~news/2011/spring/14.html