Bold, bright images with a clear message and a clean design are the hallmark of artist and illustrator Luba Lukova, who edited this year’s WRL Peace Calendar. She chose the 53 posters that appear in the calendar from about 300 posters from all over the world. She looked for images that were “easily accessible, had an original idea, and strong emotional impact,” she said.
Indeed, from the foreclosure crisis to militarism to climate change, Sparking Change: Poster Art and Politics covers timely social justice topics in a series of full-color images that speak volumes. Lukova believes that the calendar will remind the user every day to make real change in his or her life, to act for peace rather than waiting for solutions to arrive. Because it speaks with the image, its message can be understood by people of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds.
As a poster designer herself, Lukova follows the world of international poster design very closely. She is often invited to judge international poster competitions and has an extensive collection of posters. Originally from Bulgaria, she has traveled extensively, including a recent trip to South Africa. The influence of her travels is evident in Sparking Change, which includes artists from China, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Israel, Germany, and other countries, besides the United States.
For Lukova, there is little distinction between her art and her politics. “I don’t even consider myself a political artist,” she said. “I am just an ordinary person who happened to be an artist, and I express my opinions with images.” She believes that art can in fact change the world, and the power of that conviction fuels her work.
See images from the calendar at issuu.com/lukova/docs/selectionswrl2010calendar.
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