196 - Tomi UNGERER (1931–2019)

Tomi UNGERER (1931–2019) CHOICE NOT CHANCE 1967 Original poster signed in white marker (bottom left). Lithograph on paper. H_69 cm W_53 cm New York Slight wear Poster created in protest against the Vietnam War In 1967, Columbia University asked Tomi Ungerer to create a series of posters opposing the Vietnam War. However, various obstacles forced the artist to end this collaboration and continue the project on his own. That same year, with the help of his friend Richard Kasak, Tomi Ungerer printed as many posters as his logistical and financial resources allowed, based on drawings he had created in the preceding months. These posters were subsequently distributed around the world, conveying the widespread anti-Vietnam sentiment in a visceral and humanistic way. Tomi Ungerer’s anti-Vietnam War posters are extraordinary works of art, distinguished by their visual power, political commitment, and historical significance. An artist who defies categorization, Ungerer uses drawing as a weapon of protest. Through striking, often provocative and unsettling images, he directly confronts the horror of war and the hypocrisy of the powers that support it. By subverting well-known symbols such as the American flag or the Statue of Liberty, he creates an immediate visual shock intended to raise awareness. His graphic style, both satirical and brutal, combines dark humor and social criticism with formidable effectiveness. In the context of the 1960s, it was risky to publicly oppose the Vietnam War, especially from the United States, where Ungerer lived. Tomi was blacklisted by the FBI and saw his career impacted by his political views for much of his time in the U.S. This shows that his anti-Vietnam posters are not merely graphic works, but genuine acts of resistance and intellectual and moral courage that remain powerful symbols today of resistance, freedom of expression, and the struggle for peace.