Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas

by Emory Douglas (Artist), Sam Durant (Editor), Danny Glover (Foreword)

The Black Panther Party for Self Defense, formed in the aftermath of the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965, remains one of the most controversial movements of the 20th-century. Founded by the charismatic Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, the party sounded a defiant cry for an end to the institutionalized subjugation of African Americans. The Black Panther newspaper was founded to articulate the party's message and artist Emory Douglas became the paper's art director and later the party's Minister of Culture. Douglas's artistic talents and experience proved a powerful combination: his striking collages of photographs and his own drawings combined to create some of the era's most iconic images, like that of Newton with his signature beret and large gun set against a background of a blood-red star, which could be found blanketing neighborhoods during the 12 years the paper existed. This landmark book brings together a remarkable lineup of party insiders who detail the crafting of the party's visual identity.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Design, African American, Race

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 16, 2007

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is such a great book. first off, the images of douglas' work are massive, powerful and loaded with impact. the majority are collected from the black panther newspaper. plus there are roughly 5 articles about him, his art, and its/his relevance in the community (some of the info overlaps as the articles exist individually). absolutely necessary.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought this book to a small reading group as a companion to a discussion on the Black Panthers. Not only was Douglas a fantastic agitator with his art, it also facilitated an hour and a half long session of dumping on cops. Five stars

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good survey of how media can push ideas. The graphic design was just as important to the cause the speeches and protests. The book included the illustrator's thoughts and opinions on his work as well as what was happening during the time the piece was produced so you get a better understanding of why certain stylistic choices were made.

[Soopaseb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome !
Without the Black Panther Party does Obama could have been elected ? A fantastic journey through the Panthers'history, beginning with the right of armed self-defense to emphasing the social programs they installed in the neighborhoods. Powerful images provoking a radical shift in the minds of readers.

[Andrew Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Six Stars*

Uh, HOLYFUCKINGSHIT—THISMIGHTBETHEGREATESTTHINGEVER.

[Tibby]

This is such a beautifully produced book and brings together so many examples of Emory's art. I am considering buying a second copy to cut out the posters and frame a number of them as prints of his work are not widely available.

The book is a series of essays by various people who worked with Emory in different capacities during the years he made revolutionary art for the Black Panther Party. The last essay is actually an interview with Emory himself that helps bring together the previous essays and offer personal insight into the works he created. It's also a very accessible art book. There isn't lots of jargon or high concept discussion. Not that his work doesn't deserve that, but this isn't that book. It's packed with copies of so much of his art which also helps really drive home the points the essays make about how his work underscored the work of the BPP and made their ideas accessible to all.

I think his work is really inspiring in how effective it was and how it focused on people and issues that most art, now or then, focuses on. It brought awareness and dignity to the communities the BPP was fighting for.

[Jackson Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the work of Emory Douglas and the importance of art in the Black Panther Movement. Douglas was responsible for the original depictions of cops as pigs and he used revolutionary techniques that form art today.
NOTES:
- douglas was the reason that cops were portrayed as pigs
- he was relatively quiet and didn't share his art much
- went to cuba by sneaking out of the US
- similar stories to revolutionary suicide
- worked with the grateful dead
- his work helped to make war less and less popular in the US
- used advertising techniques to make the revolution appealing
- Black Panthers were not black nationalists like the Black Arts Movement
- against black men fighting in vietnam, since the US government did not represent black people why should they fight for them?
- douglas was inspired by cuban artists
- "no such thing as art for art's sake"
PICTURES:
https://imgur.com/a/no0c7GK

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pg 28, 29, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 67, 69, 75, 77, 102, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 119, 120, 121, 124, 125, 132, 138, 139, 140, 141, 144, 145, 146, 147, 150, 151, 154, 155, 159, 167, 186, 190, 191, 192, 193, 212, 213.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just so GOOD and so inspiring when powerful messages find themselves so perfectly reflected in visual art.

[Rodney (代罗尼) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! Gives detailed descriptions and info on ED's work. What his work has done for the BPP and is still doing today. Also, highlights how important art truly is.

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[M G.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

poderoso

[ASC Library]

741.6 Dou

[Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great assortment of Douglas' work with the Black Panther paper; the associated articles by Sonia Sanchez, Kathleen Cleaver, Amiri Baraka, etc. were great era-specific contemporary accounts of Douglas's works.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good art book filled with Emory Douglas's work. His friends and peers join him to help explain the situation that evoked the harsh critical pieces. There were several personal notes that helped enlighten some things for me. One memorable one is when Amiri Baraka mentioned that Federico Garcia Lorca had a theater group called Baraka. This has little to do with the BPP except for to remind me that it is all intertwined. Artists and art through out times of injustice react to each other. Art is ispiration. And Emory Douglas's art is trying to make people aware in order to act.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much a civil rights history as a design one, this book on the former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther party is required reading for anyone who believes visual culture can be a force for social good. But one is also struck by the originality of Douglas's work. He created an completely new aesthetic appropriate to its incendiary content and the audience he was trying to reach.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're in Cali, check out his work through a collaboration with Douglas and Keba Konte at Guerilla Cafe in Berkeley.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For every pig, a frying pan!"

[zingha. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When freedom propaganda and art meet!!! What a body of work!!! What I aspire for in my own work!!!

[Johnny Galt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own a signed copy. I give it 5 stars.

[Uriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true purpose of an artist is portrayed in this inspiring volume. Where are the Emory Douglas' of today?

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Revolutionary Artist!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reviewed this book and interviewed Emory Douglas at

http://www.codezonline.com/