Joliet artist works on behalf of proposed labor law

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-joliet-artist_sw_zone_05feb05,0,3289805.story

Politics a part of artist's palette

By Alicia Fabbre | Special to the Tribune
February 5, 2009

Kathleen Farrell is putting her paintbrush and talent behind a proposal that supporters say would make it easier for workers to unionize.

The Joliet artist recently completed a painting depicting President Barack Obama holding a copy of the Employee Free Choice Act—complete with his signature. The act has yet to be passed by Congress, but Farrell and union leaders hope that day will come soon.

Passage of the bill is one of organized labor's top priorities because the measure would make it easier to set up union locals. It would allow unions to create local bargaining units without winning the vote of a majority of workers in a secret ballot.

The painting was recently sold at auction at the Labor Heritage Foundation's annual dinner in the nation's capital and is on display in the Washington offices of the Union Labor Life Insurance Co. Proceeds from the auction benefited the foundation, which helps promote labor culture through music, art and poetry.

Labor art is nothing new to Farrell, who created her first mural, depicting people at work, in 1975.

"It always amazes me how few images are available of people working," the 59-year-old artist said. "These paintings ... make these often invisible people visible."


FULL story at link.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. This is wonderful news nt