Getting Up for the People

Getting Up for the People tells the story of the Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca (ASARO) by remixing their own images and words with curatorial descriptions. Part of a long tradition of socially conscious Mexican art, ASARO gives respect to Mexican national icons; but their themes are also global, entering contemporary debates on issues of corporate greed, genetically modified organisms, violence against women, and abuses of natural resources. This book interjects into the growing body of work on street art and social justice—not just ASARO’s art, but also their collective success in influencing political change and improved social infrastructure, particularly in educational outreach. It is a visual tour de force and a success story that embraces and shares the power of art and diversity in our societies.

ASARO, the Asamblea de Artists Revolucionarios de Oaxaca, is a contemporary Mexican artists’ collective comprised of young art students and street artists. Mike Graham de La Rosa is a Mexican–American street artist/activist, and Spanish teacher. He is the recipient of a New Mexico Higher Education Department scholarship and a Tinker Foundation award for his work with ASARO. Suzanne M. Schadl is curator of Latin American collections at the University of New Mexico, where she teaches Latin American studies. They both live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.