Poster in protest of the exection of Sacco and Vanzetti 1932

This is a poster created by Ben protesting the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti. It depicts the two men in simple lines, their wrists bound, and with large blocks of text below. The motif of bound hands, appearing here in a modern context, is an ancient symbol. We see it re-emerge time and again in art history, from depictions of defeated enemies in Roman triumphal arches to Christ’s Passion. The symbol resonates deeply with the themes of injustice and martyrdom. There is a potent psychological interplay between the image of the chained hands and the defiant text below. This fusion touches a place in our collective memory, stirring a sense of indignation. Through such stark visual and textual juxtapositions, the artist invokes profound emotional reactions, compelling viewers to confront timeless issues of justice and oppression. This cycle repeats. The image of the bound hands reappears. It has evolved, taken on new meanings, but retains its primal power to move and provoke.