In this interview I talk with artist and activist Art Hazelwood about art as political action versus politics as a subject. We start with his journey as a printmaker in San Francisco in the early 90s, where he engaged in political art through the Street Sheet newspaper. He elaborates on the distinction between social commentary and political action, emphasizing his active role in various causes including homelessness and union support. We also talk about his work with the San Francisco Poster Syndicate and teaching drawing at San Quentin prison, highlighting the importance of art as a transformative tool within the prison system. Additionally, we talk about his involvement in Mission Gráfica, a print studio, and his efforts in cataloging artists' estates. The conversation touches on the evolving role of artists, the value of ephemeral art, and the challenges and opportunities within the art world today.

Episode image by James Hazelwood

https://www.arthazelwood.com/

https://www.arthazelwood.com/impresario/publications/mission-grafica-book.html

https://www.arthazelwood.com/impresario/publications/hobos-to-street-book.html

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art video on Tipping Point by Art Hazelwood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx7VNp6sBoo

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Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Strike!, 2023. Screenprint. 19 x 12 ¾ in. San Francisco State University California Faculty Association Strike poster. Courtesy of the Artist.

Installation shot of Hobos to Street People: Artists’ Responses to Homelessness from the New Deal to the Present. The California Historical Society, February 19–August 15, 2009.

Installation shot of Hobos to Street People: Artists’ Responses to Homelessness from the New Deal to the Present. The California Historical Society, February 19–August 15, 2009.

Installation shot of Hobos to Street People: Artists’ Responses to Homelessness from the New Deal to the Present. The California Historical Society, February 19–August 15, 2009.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Hobos to Street People: Artist’ Responses to Homelessness from the New Deal to the Present. San Francisco: California Historical Society, 2008.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Mission Gráfica: Reflecting a Community in Print. San Francisco: Pacific View PR, 2022.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Die Aktion #70, Grimmiger Jäger / Grim Hunter, 500,000, 2021. Screenprint. 16 3/4 x 11 in. Marking the grim milestone of 500,000 dead of Covid in the US. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). New Masses #64, Last Tango, January 6, 2020, 2021. Screenprint. 17 x 12 in. Marking the attempted coup on January 6, 2020. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). The Road to Fascism: It’s No Game,  2024. Screenprint. 17 1/2 x 21 ½ in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Iraqopoly, 2006. Screenprint. 20 1/2 x 28 1/2 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Fascist Mix ’N Match, 2024. Screenprint. 9 x 10 ¾ in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Le Charivari #76, July 19, 2024, Candidat a la Presidentielle 2016–2024, 2024. Screenprint. 17 x 11 1/4. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). A Sea of Blood, 2022. Woodcut. 19 ¾ x 14 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Culture Street / Gentrification Lane, 2016. Woodcut. Each panel: 36 x 24. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Must We Always Have This? Why Not Housing?, 2023. Screenprint. 16 3/4 x 11 ½ in. Created for Western Regional Advocacy Project's director Paul Boden and his 40 years of activism. Text is from a WPA poster from New York 1930s. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Tipping Point, 2021. Artist’s book with screenprints (binding and design by Asa Nakata). Overall: 12 x 9 x 1 3/8. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Tipping Point, 2021. Artist’s book with screenprints (binding and design by Asa Nakata). Overall: 12 x 9 x 1 3/8. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood street printing with San Francisco Poster Syndicate, 2023. Photo courtesy of David Bacon.

Steamroller, six formerly incarcerated men and three of their teachers created a 3-foot square linocut print and printed it with a steamroller at Diablo Valley College, CA, in March 2024. Photo courtesy of Peter Merts.

Steamroller, six formerly incarcerated men and three of their teachers created a 3-foot square linocut print and printed it with a steamroller at Diablo Valley College, CA, in March 2024. Photo courtesy of Peter Merts.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Ayudantes Animales del Sudoeste: Un Guía Para Viajeros Jóvenes / Animal Helpers of the Southwest: A Guide For Young Travelers, 2015. Artist’s book with 12 woodcuts with screenprint borders and text. Sheet: 18 x 18 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). End Overdose Now, 2023. Screenprint. 18 1/2 x 11 1/8 in. Created for SF AIDS Foundation, HIV Advocacy Network and city budget fight. Courtesy of the Artist.

Art Hazelwood (American, born 1961). Support Our Libraries, 2023. Woodcut. 19 1/4 x 12 1/2. Courtesy of the Artist.