Social Injustice ∼ Artwork by Shelby Albrecht
Artwork ∼ “Social Justice”
By Shelby Albrecht
Artist Statement
Graphic design has a rich history in social justice and political commentary, but more often than not contemporary designers find themselves losing themselves to the jobs that pay their rent. As a professional designer and illustrator myself, I’m constantly trying to remember why I chose this medium in the first place – to help others. The drive to create for others started during my undergrad studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, where I was constantly inspired by my professors to use my cumulative knowledge and talents to design for social impact. Designers are visual communications, sparking social commentary through insight when words are not enough.
My social justice illustrations are musings to questions we as Americans currently face – political dissonance, economic uncertainty, the “Me Too” movement, border security; the list can go on forever. The selected pieces in this issue are meant to tell a story years after I created them through bold, simple symbolism. While revisiting these pieces, I was reminded of the question I would ask myself in school: what do I want to say through my art? The answer is simple: I want to say just enough to spark a conversation than can inspire others to make a difference.
Barbed Borders
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Crossing
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Harsh Words
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Welcome To America
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Side Effects
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