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Corita Kent — people like us yes
Corita Kent

people like us yes

1965

Corita Kent’s 1965 screenprint, *people like us yes*, immediately commands attention with its vibrant, high-contrast design. Dominating the left side of the composition, the phrase "people like us yes" is rendered in colossal, creamy white letters against a striking orange field, evoking a sense of communal affirmation and direct address. Vertically aligned on the right, the word "workpower" echoes the energetic color scheme, while three irregular black shapes interrupt the otherwise clean presentation. These organic forms contain handwritten text, introducing a layer of urgent, intimate commentary that balances the bold, graphic immediacy of the larger typography. The deliberate use of screenprinting, a technique central to Pop Art, allowed Kent to disseminate her powerful messages widely, blending artistic innovation with accessible communication. The textual elements within the black forms reveal the profound socio-religious convictions at the heart of Kent's practice during the turbulent 1960s. One passage challenges the comfortable perception of the "Body of Christ," asserting its contemporary reality as "disorganized, devoid of order, concerned with the material needs, hungry, dirty," and "most uncomfortable." This powerful reinterpretation critiques societal complacency and champions the marginalized, aligning with the civil rights movement and broader calls for social justice prevalent at the time. Another segment provocatively suggests that "youth is a time of rebellion," urging engagement with, rather than suppression of, this revolutionary spirit by enlisting "the rebels to join that greatest rebel of his time, Christ himself." *people like us yes* stands as a potent example of Corita Kent's unique ability to merge spiritual reflection with incisive social critique, rendered through a visually arresting aesthetic. It encapsulates her belief in art as a vehicle for change, encouraging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and embrace a more inclusive, active form of faith and community. The work’s enduring relevance lies in its unwavering call for empathy and action, making it a significant piece for collectors interested in the intersection of art, activism, and mid-century American culture.

Medium
Screenprint in colors
Location
Wright, Chicago, United States

🔨 Auction Lot

Wright: 20|21 Art: The Chicago Edition (July 2022)

July 14, 2022

Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000

Lot 344

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About this work

Corita Kent, people like us yes, 1965

Corita Kent’s 1965 screenprint, *people like us yes*, immediately commands attention with its vibrant, high-contrast design. Dominating the left side of the composition, the phrase "people like us yes" is rendered in colossal, creamy white letters against a striking orange field, evoking a sense of communal affirmation and direct address. Vertically aligned on the right, the word "workpower" echoes the energetic color scheme, while three irregular black shapes interrupt the otherwise clean presentation. These organic forms contain handwritten text, introducing a layer of urgent, intimate commentary that balances the bold, graphic immediacy of the larger typography. The deliberate use of screenprinting, a technique central to Pop Art, allowed Kent to disseminate her powerful messages widely, blending artistic innovation with accessible communication. The textual elements within the black forms reveal the profound socio-religious convictions at the heart of Kent's practice during the turbulent 1960s. One passage challenges the comfortable perception of the "Body of Christ," asserting its contemporary reality as "disorganized, devoid of order, concerned with the material needs, hungry, dirty," and "most uncomfortable." This powerful reinterpretation critiques societal complacency and champions the marginalized, aligning with the civil rights movement and broader calls for social justice prevalent at the time. Another segment provocatively suggests that "youth is a time of rebellion," urging engagement with, rather than suppression of, this revolutionary spirit by enlisting "the rebels to join that greatest rebel of his time, Christ himself." *people like us yes* stands as a potent example of Corita Kent's unique ability to merge spiritual reflection with incisive social critique, rendered through a visually arresting aesthetic. It encapsulates her belief in art as a vehicle for change, encouraging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and embrace a more inclusive, active form of faith and community. The work’s enduring relevance lies in its unwavering call for empathy and action, making it a significant piece for collectors interested in the intersection of art, activism, and mid-century American culture.

Medium
Screenprint in colors
Year
1965
Seen at
Wright, Chicago, United States

Related themes

Civil Rights, Limited Edition Print, Conceptual, Bold Color, American, Modernist, Graphic Design, Protest Art, Figurative Text, Screenprint, Typography, Pop Art, Social Justice, Orange And Black, Text Based Art, Religious Themes, Political Art, Counterculture, Female Artist, Activist Art, Flat Design

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