Lino cutting and printing has historically been used as a powerful tool for spreading political and social messages, thanks to its bold visual style and accessibility. In this workshop, you'll learn how to work with lino and create your own handmade print that speaks to a cause you care about.

What is Lino cutting (or printing or linoleum art)?

Linoleum, developed in the early 20th century, originally found its purpose as a flooring and wallpaper material. It wasn’t until artists discovered its potential as a more affordable alternative to woodcut that it became widely used for printmaking. Linoleum sheets made it easier and cheaper for artists to create prints with intricate designs, as linoleum was easier to carve and more accessible than traditional wood.

Linocut and Activism

The technique emerged during significant socio-political movements in the early 20th century, where artists found linocut ideal for spreading messages quickly and widely. Linocut's graphic nature—characterized by bold lines, stark contrasts, and clear imagery— cut through complex political discourse and speak directly to the emotions of viewers, making it especially effective for communicating strong, easily understood messages. This is also useful in movements where the audience may not be highly literate or where the artist needs to communicate quickly and powerfully. The prints can be produced cheaply and in large quantities, spreading resistance messages far and wide. Thus, linocuts have the ability to tap into a community’s emotional state, stirring solidarity and action, especially where other forms of protest may be suppressed.

Real-World Examples: Mexico and South Africa

In the early days of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, José Guadalupe Posada used linocuts to depict the everyday struggle and oppression faced by the working class. His iconic "Calaveras" (skeletons) series (see image below) – which portrayed the Mexican upper classes alongside imagery of death – became an anthem for the oppressed. The prints were not just artistic but political, igniting resistance and calling for the overthrow of the old guard. By igniting a shared sense of resistance, the prints helped to galvanize the public to support the goals of the revolution which included land reform and the redistribution of wealth.
Another – probably one of the most famous instances of linocut’s link to social change –occurred in apartheid-era South Africa. In the 1980s, the country was under a brutal regime that enforced strict segregation and violence against Black South Africans. Artists like Dumile Feni and others in the "Resistance Art" movement began using linocut not just to capture the everyday oppression faced by Black South Africans but to visually protest the very system that oppressed them (see image below). These linocuts became part of a larger protest culture that ultimately led to the eventual dismantling of apartheid.

Today, linocut continues to thrive as a medium for activism worldwide. Its simplicity and directness make it ideal for artists seeking to engage audiences in discussions about contemporary social and political issues. From environmental advocacy to LGBTQ+ rights to social justice, artists use linocut to amplify voices, challenge norms, and mobilize collective action.

LABO x LINO

LABO believes in the power of citizens. For social change, we need critical citizens who turn indignation into action. Throughout Flanders (Belgium), LABO supports activists and citizen collectives in their social, ecological, (inter)national fight for change. We do this by lending megaphones, being the megaphone, giving trainings, doing emancipatory neighbourhood projects, and working on sustainable activism. This is how we work together to dismantle systems of oppression, and ignite radical transformation.

From a great love for lino and all its possibilities for activism, we started within LABO, LABOLINO: a new volunteer group who organise lino-workshops. These moments are heartening, we meet, create and thus can engage in a tangible way with different social struggles. Whereas activism is often rational, firm and loud, we as LABO noticed the need to be able to engage in social change from feeling, softness and using your hands. Linoing together turns out to strengthen resilience and community, and is also just a lot of fun.