ArtistsAsActivists

"Mickey Mouse Gas Mask" pictured above is by RON ENGLISH, a recognizable and prolific artist. He coined the term POPANGDA, to describe his own “signature mash-up style of high and low cultural touchstones.” He frequently uses Mickey Mouse perhaps to indicate American consumerism though this piece was in response to Walt Disney's creation of a Mickey Mouse gas mask in 1942. According to The Washington Post, "It had large glass eyes, a snout and big, round ears and was meant to calm terrified children. About 1,000 Mickey mouse respirators were produced." The Ron English design was realized as an action figure type collectible ten inches high. Ron English's website: POPAGANDA.COM