Sweatshop Queen c. 1937 - 1938

Harold Emerson Keeler created this print, "Sweatshop Queen", using a woodcut technique. The high contrast of the black ink on the pale paper certainly draws our eye to the scene. Made in the USA, there is a confluence of cultural references that speak to the time when it was made. The title itself is steeped in meaning, calling to mind the harsh conditions often endured by garment workers, and the fact that the worker is a woman hints at the gendered nature of labor exploitation. The artist seems to be making a statement about the social structures of his time, prompting the viewer to reflect on the ethical implications of consumer culture and labor practices. The interpretation of art is always contingent on social and institutional context. To understand this piece better, we might research the history of labor movements and the garment industry, along with exhibition records.