Today we are chatting with De Nichols, author of
Art of Protest!
Read on for more about De, her book, plus a giveaway!
Meet De Nichols!
De Nichols is currently a Loeb Fellow in residence at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. As an arts-based organizer, social impact designer, serial entrepreneur, and keynote lecturer, she’s mobilized change-makers nationwide to develop creative approaches to the social, civic, and racial justice issues that matter most within communities. One of her most celebrated works, The Mirror Casket, was cited in an article by Angela Davis entitled “The Art of Protest.”
Meet Art of Protest!
From Keith Haring to Extinction Rebellion, the civil rights movement to Black Lives Matter, what does a revolution look like? Discover the power of words and images in this thought-provoking look at protest art by highly acclaimed artivist De Nichols.
From the psychedelic typography used in “Make Love Not War” posters of the ’60s to the solitary raised fist, some of the most memorable and striking protest artwork from across the world and throughout history deserves a long, hard look. Readers can explore each piece of art to understand how color, symbolism, technique, and typography play an important role in communication. Guided by activist, lecturer, and speaker De Nichols’s powerful narrative and stunningly illustrated by a collaboration of young artists, this volume also has plenty of tips and ideas for creating your own revolutionary designs.
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~ Author Chat ~
What gave you the inspiration to write Art of Protest?
Art of Protest is the culmination of a series of moments in my life that have inspired me to see the power of the arts to shift minds, defend freedoms, and mobilize community. As a co-organizer of the Artivists STL collective during the 2014 uprising in Ferguson, the works that my comrades and I created were a testament of this truth. When one of those works, The Mirror Casket, was ultimately collected by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, activist Angela Davis wrote an article titled “Art of Protest” about it for Smithsonian magazine. During that time, Artivists STL led the production of 80+ collaborative works in cities across the nation under the leadership of Chicano activist and poet, Elizabeth Vega. Those works, those cities, and our collective efforts over the years inspired me to reflect, research, and learn more about so many other artists and artworks across the world. Thus, when I connected with my editor to write Art of Protest, I was serendipitously ready and prepared to take readers through this journey of learning with me.
Which came first: the title or the story?
The title!
What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I love how the cover brings together the styles of the illustrators. I think this creates an appeal for readers to discover the visual stories within it and perhaps even have a scavenger hunt for some of the cover’s spot illustrations that are featured inside. In addition, I love that we were able to print the covers on board with open stitching on the spine. I think the materiality of the cover really speaks to the nature of signs and zines as common outlets of protest.
Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
I definitely enjoyed drafting a lot, as it gave me the time and space to process a lot of my own encounters with protest art. Revising was only harder because there was so much more that I wanted to include, and it’s always hard to edit out a good story that you want to tell.
What’s up next for you?
Currently, I am co-organizing a Black HerStory Initiative supported by Monument Lab and the Mellon Foundation that uses art to challenge the ways in which Black women have often been left out of the ways we understand history in public space. And with Art of Protest, I want to take the stories within the book to the next level, so I am currently working with my publishers to develop an Art of Protest video series that would dive deeper into some of the stories, artists, and artworks featured in the book. In addition, I look forward to engaging with schools and libraries to co-create projects inspired by the book’s “Try This” sections.
What would you say is your superpower?
Idea generation and synthesis are definitely two of my top superpowers. I have really nurtured my creative muscles to develop powerful ideas, which has led to a super dynamic journey as a designer. And, synthesis is connected to that because I can see or hear multiple things that seem disparate and connect the dots between them with a seamless ease.
Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
Yes, the Griot Museum of Black History is the organization that I have been most in love and support of for the last few years. As a former museum educator, I have a deep appreciation for the role and impact that museums hold in communities. And The Griot is one that has been a staple in St. Louis, but like many Black history museums, has also been subjected to financial disinvestment. So, I’m an advocate and cheerleader for its success as a cultural anchor in the city.
Art of Protest
Author: De Nichols
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Publish Date: November 11th, 2021
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
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This book looks amazing and beautiful
Book looks great!
The cover is BEAUTIFUL, and the synopsis highlights just how impactful protest art is.
The cover is lovely and this book sounds like an important read.
I like the bright, colorful cover and the subject matter couldn’t be more important.