“Every city has its own gang history, part of Chicago’s are Gang cards, most prominent in the 70’s and early 80’s, back in the day when a gang was more of a neighborhood crew then what it is today. Fists, bats, and bottles days, before guns became the norm in the gang. Most of the gangs were just about the neighborhood and hanging out together. Stock art from the printer as well as some hand drawn illustrations were the back bone of many of the cards.” (via WE ARE SUPERVISION: CHICAGO’S LESSER KNOWN ARTS HISTORY LESSON or OG ART GALLERY)
This also reminds me of the iconography of military groups. Like Airforce squadrons.
This is awesome. There was this book that was written in the 70’s and was all about prison tattoos in Oregon and the northwest. It’s in super limited print and I can’t remember the name, but it’s supposed to be super interesting. I’ll find the link to it on OLive.
