artists
Finster, Ramon, 1944-1996
A founding member of the French ORA, anarchist militant, artist, writer, animator of cultural and artistic events.
The Butte aux Cailles in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, lies south of the Seine. It is one of the least known old neighbourhoods of the French capital, like its working class cousins north of the river – Batignolles, Belleville and Menilmontant. The Butte rises gently beside the now subterranean course of Paris’s forgotten river the Bievre.
Michaelis, Margaret born Margaret Gross
A short biography of modernist photographer and anarchist Margaret Michaelis 1902-1985.
Margaret Michaelis’s prowess as a photographer has been hidden away until recently. Recent exhibitions in Canberra, Australia in 1988 and 2005 and in Valencia, Spain in 2005 have begun to dispel this cloud of obscurity.
John, Augustus, 1878-1961
A biography of British artist and Bohemian Augustus John, with particular focus on his connection with the anarchist movement.
Augustus John and the Anarchists
Augustus John has often been cited as one of a few from the British artistic and intellectual milieu to have identified themselves with the anarchist movement. But Augustus John’s relationship with that movement was as ambivalent as his own life.
Acín Aquilué, Ramón, 1888-1936
A short biography of Spanish anarchist and artist Ramón Acín Aquilué who was shot by fascists at the start of the Civil War in 1936.
“We have as our flag the love of culture, the cult of fraternity and liberty”
Mirbeau, Octave, 1848-1917
A short account of the anarchist politics and practice of French author Octave Mirbeau, whose works include The Torture Garden.
At the end of the 19th century, many French writers were attracted to anarchism. Some of them were fascinated by the bomb attacks of “propaganda by deed” anarchists Ravachol and Emile Henry, and wanted to write a book that would be a literary bomb, destroying the foundations of the religion, the family and the nation state.
Pissarro, Camille, 1830-1903
A short biography of French Impressionist artist and anarchist Camille Pisarro.
Camille Pisarro
Born 10 July 1830 – St. Thomas, Caribbean, died 13 November 1903 - Paris, France
At the end of the nineteenth century, anarchist ideas had a notable influence not just among workers but also in literary and artistic circles in France.
Rothko, Mark, 1903-1970
A short biography of Latvian-born abstract expressionist artist and anarchist, Mark Rothko.
Mark Rothko
Born Marcus Rothkowitz, 25 September 1903 - Russia, died 25 February 1970 - New York, USA
Marcus Rothkowitz was born to Jewish parents in Czarist Russia on September 25, 1903 in Dvinsk. His father emigrated to America when he was ten.
Signac, Paul, 1863-1935
A short biography of Paul Signac a French neo-impressionist painter and anarchist who, working with Georges Seurat, helped develop the pointillist style.
Paul Signac
Born 11 November 1863 - Paris, France, died 15 August 1935 - Paris, France
Morris, William - How I Became a Socialist
How I Became a Socialist was first published in Justice, June 16th, 1894.
"In his last years Morris modified his long-held anti-Parliamentarian position, agreeing that the time had now come for the formation of a Socialist Party. He did not rejoin the Socialist Democratic Federation (S.D.F.) but ended his breach with Hyndman to the extent of writing several articles for the S.D.F. journal, Justice. In this one he looks back over his life and sums up his development." - A. L. Morten.
Baj, Enrico, 1924-2003
A biography of the Italian anarchist and painter Enrico Baj. Well known in Italy, he was finally beginning to become known in France as well though his name had never really been known in Britain.
Baj was devoted to anarchism and this expressed itself in his works. His vast canvases were beautiful and often funny. When it was exhibited in Italy in 1972, his Funeral of the Anarchist Pinelli (thrown from a police station window and made famous by Dario Fo's play Accidental Death of an Anarchist) led to police commissioners marching in and closing down the gallery.
