Alum's art attacks become retrospective exhibition

Posted Thu, 10/16/2008 - 1:53pm by Matt Itelson

Alumnus Robbie Conal's politically charged posters plastered across the construction site walls, traffic light switching boxes, freeway underpasses and bus shelters of America are now the subject of a retrospective exhibition. "No Spitting No Kidding" recently opened at Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica.

With refined technique, sarcasm and outspoken political content, Conal (B.A., '76) has mastered over 30 years what he calls the "art attack."

The Los Angeles Times writes: "He made his name by making midnight raids on cities from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., plastering walls with his instantly recognizable posters born of political rage — expressionistic, almost violent, portraits of headline-makers coupled with punny epigrams turned on their heads."

Scholar Howard Zinn has said of Conal: "His art is outrageous, unsparing and constitutes a welcome offering to the struggles of Americans against war and injustice. ... His art is therefore to be celebrated by all who see the marriage of art and politics as playing a vital role in the movement toward a just society."

Image: Robbie Conal, "Patriot in Action," 2005-2008, mixed media, 55 x 38 inches. Courtesy of Track 16 Gallery