When thinking about current, politically and socially active illustrators and artists, I always come back to the work of my favourite creator of image, Pat Perry.
This particular image is in response to the trouble in North Dakota that has occurred over the last few months regarding the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a four-state oil pipe which threatens local wildlife, water supplies and cultural heritage sites. As an image it is very simple and almost ambiguous; at first I wasn't aware of what it was protesting, being ignorant of the meaning behind DAPL, but I was immediately drawn to it and of some research am a full supporter of the cause. It is not obviously political, especially if there was an absence of words. It is a beautifully drawn image, monotone and intricately detailed. Linking to Zeegan's quote, it is in equal measures form and function, appealing the audience with a highly aesthetically pleasing image but with a strong and important message behind it, conveyed almost solely through the use of text. 'This concerns everyone' is a very powerful and profound sentence, these three words provoking a response in a viewer almost immediately, with concern and curiosity. The ambiguous nature of 'No Dapl' also adds to this, as they want to find out what that refers to.
I believe Perry's success especially with his more politically and socially conscious work, is his ability to make beautiful illustrations which portray the issues but in a subtle and less obvious way. The drawings stand alone as pleasing images, but then spark curiosity in their humanity. This is especially true of his depiction of people, he fills them with emotion and character and humility, urging the audience to connect with the characters, whether thats with empathy or sympathy or just some sort of energy, there's a connection there which rarely fails to convey the overall issue which he encourages the viewer to act for or learn about or think about.
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