Leon Kuhn, UK
Capitalism = War

One could say that I've been a political artist since I was six-years-old, for it was then that I started copying the political cartoons in the daily newspapers. Events in the UK after the attack on Afghanistan and Iraq led to the growth of an anti-war movement the size of which had never been seen before in this country. By a series of chance events, I hit on a new way to connect my art to the mass movement as it took to the streets. I made two of my images into very large placards and, together with postcards of those images, carried them on the massive anti-war marches. I was overwhelmed by demonstrators wanting to buy my cards.

With the help of other members of “Artists' Against the War”, we sold thousands and thousands of cards and used the money to fund projects of other group members involved in areas such as street theatre, music and poetry. As the war unfolded, I produced new images that were then carried during the next demonstration along with new postcards.

This method of working meant that I didn't need gallery owners or exhibition spaces – my audience were the protestors, my reward was their open appreciation of my work and the pleasure it gave them, particularly my 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' picture.

I have continued with this method of working over the last six years, taking my work to my audience on Trade Union marches, Anti-War marches, demonstrations in support of the Palestinians etc. I urge any political artists reading this to try my method. It will help you to break out of your isolation, give you confidence to continue the struggle and realize that your future is not inside 'the gallery' or after the 'next exhibition', but outside, with the mass movement. London, 20th October 2008