A few months back I heard of a political poster show being curated by the AIGA chapter in Jacksonville, Florida. I rarely put my political beliefs out there, but they had an open call for submissions and I decided to take a crack at a poster dealing with a topical issue that I care about. I decided to make my piece regarding the idea of a border wall. I wanted to create an image that would show the repercussions of a wall that, if built, would cut right down the edge of Texas' only Natural Park, Big Bend. I wanted to design something in the style of old WGA posters from the 50s. By all accounts, the show was a great success and I am happy to be a part of it.

From my description:

To many, the idea of a fortified border wall is just an abstract concept. It’s just an idea that exists to keep “those people”out while keeping “us”safe. The reality of a wall has no impact on everyday life. As a resident of Texas, the threat of a wall emerges from an idea on paper to an actual structure with real world consequences.

The Texas/Mexico border is 1,254 miles long. A stretch of that border runs through Big Bend National Park and specifically cuts through an area known as the Santa Elena Canyon. Great bluffs on either side of the narrow Rio Grande River rise high above into the sky creating a stunning desert canyon enjoyed by native Americans for thousands of years and by thousands of visitors each year. The south bluff is Mexico and the north is America, separated only by the width of the Rio Grande sometimes only 50 feet wide at places.

So when you envision a border wall, this is where that wall would go. And the next time you find yourself in Big Bend National Park at Santa Elana Canyon you can probably leave the camera in your backpack. You won’t want to take a photo of this. In fact, the guide books probably wouldn’t have even led you here to begin with. But hey, at least you feel safer, right?