Professional Illustration and Graphic Design through the art of Oscar Cahén

Oscar Cahén (1916–1956) came to Canada in 1940 as a political refugee, and within a few years he established himself as a professional artist in Canada. He was equally famous as an avant-garde painter and as a commercial illustrator whose pictures and covers for magazines helped shape people’s ideas about the world. By viewing them through a critical lens, students can gain insights into Cahén’s magazine illustrations and covers as important forms of media. In this guide students will explore Cahén’s graphic designs for the popular press and use critical analysis questions to understand his work. They will engage in illustrating their own communities and developing their own social justice projects. Students will also gain a greater understanding of juxtaposition as they explore text and illustration to enhance their social and political messages.