


Racism Doesn't Rest During a Pandemic Pee Chee (No Justice No Peace)
2020
Patrick Martinez's "Racism Doesn't Rest During a Pandemic Pee Chee (No Justice No Peace)" confronts one of 2020's most urgent cultural reckonings through a deceptively familiar form. Executed as a four-color offset folder print measuring 45.7 by 30.5 centimeters, the work appropriates the iconic Pee Chee folder, a staple of American school supply culture since the mid-twentieth century, and transforms it into a vehicle for unsparing social commentary. Martinez recasts the folder's cheerful athletic imagery with language that refuses to let systemic racism recede into the background noise of a global health crisis, insisting that these crises are not separate but deeply intertwined. The result is a work that carries the weight of protest alongside the visual vernacular of everyday American life, creating a productive dissonance that is central to Martinez's broader practice. Martinez is a Los Angeles-based artist recognized for his engagement with Chicano culture, commercial signage, and community memory. His use of vernacular objects and printing techniques reflects a commitment to accessibility, both in subject matter and in the democratic traditions of printmaking itself. By choosing offset printing, a process associated with mass reproduction rather than fine art exclusivity, Martinez aligns the work with the spirit of the social movements it references. The signed print stands as both an artifact of a specific historical moment and an enduring statement about structural inequality, making it a significant addition to any collection focused on contemporary socially engaged art. This work is being offered through the Human Rights Campaign Benefit Auction, and prospective bidders should note that contributions benefit HRC Equality Votes PAC, a federal political committee. Contributions must come from U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents, must be personal funds, and are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions or business expenses under IRS Section 162(e).
- Medium
- 4 color offset folder print
- Overall
- Signed
- Yes
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