Jerry Mesmer "Poverty Sucks" 
 
This Artwork is:
NEW- please note that this poster is vintage and may have some minor dents or creases in the paper due to its age.  It has never before been framed and frame is new. 
CUSTOM FRAMED in a two toned  pewter and black frame.
Offset Lithograph of a photograph
Framed Size : 23" x 31"
Image Size: 20" x 28"
Hanging hardware included on back of frame
Interested in different framing?  Contact us!!
Artist and Era: Jerry Mesmer was an active advertising photographer in the 1980s, and this poster is one of his most recognized works, often associated with the social and political commentary of that decade.
Content and Satire: The poster features a well-dressed, affluent man in a tweed suit and riding boots, holding a drink and leaning against a classic Bentley car with the personalized license plate "MGO 1." This imagery is deliberately contrasted with the prominent "POVERTY SUCKS" text at the top, creating a satirical commentary on wealth disparity and social issues.
Setting: The backdrop of the image shows the "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION & WELFARE" building, adding another layer of social critique by placing the image of affluence against an institution meant to address public welfare.
Cultural Impact: The "Poverty Sucks" poster became a notable piece of pop culture in the 1980s and even inspired parodies, such as one related to the "Trickle-down theory" of the Reagan era, reflecting its impact as a visual statement.