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Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union

Xavier Viramontes1973

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum
Washington D.C., United States

Viramontes created "Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union" the year César Chávez initiated a new grape boycott in response to the Teamsters’ violent intervention in disputes between the UFW and California growers. Viramontes was aware of the Teamsters’ brutal tactics, which likely informed his imagery of a formidable Aztec warrior squeezing grapes that spew blood instead of juice. The artist suggested that the UFW sell the poster to support the boycott. While the union initially believed the blood symbolism was too graphic, they began selling the print via mail order through "El Malcriado," the UFW newspaper. 

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  • Title: Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union
  • Creator: Xavier Viramontes
  • Date Created: 1973
  • Credit Line: Xavier Viramontes, "Boycott Grapes, Support the United Farm Workers Union," 1973, offset lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tomás Ybarra-Frausto, 1995.50.58, © 1973, Xavier Viramontes
  • Medium: offset lithograph on paper
Smithsonian American Art Museum

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