Bush Aids Swindle & Loot

Bush AIDS (Swindle & Loot)

Artist: Sue Coe
Date: 1990
Medium: Poster / Political Graphic Art
Collection: Fabulous Art Museum (F.A.M.)

About the Artwork

Created during the height of the AIDS crisis, Bush AIDS (Swindle & Loot) is a powerful political poster by artist and activist Sue Coe. Known for her uncompromising social commentary, Coe used her art to confront injustice, government neglect, and the human cost of political decisions. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she produced a series of works addressing the AIDS epidemic and the failures of government leaders to respond adequately to a growing public health emergency.

This poster reflects the anger and frustration felt by many LGBTQ+ activists, healthcare advocates, and people living with HIV/AIDS during a period when thousands were dying while access to treatment, research funding, and public education remained inadequate. The title’s use of the words “Swindle & Loot” accuses political leaders of prioritizing power, ideology, and economic interests over human lives. Through stark imagery and biting satire, Coe transformed public outrage into visual protest.

Sue Coe’s work emerged alongside a broader movement of AIDS activism that used posters, public art, demonstrations, and direct action to challenge government inaction and societal stigma. These visual campaigns became some of the most recognizable symbols of LGBTQ+ resistance during the epidemic, helping to raise awareness and demand accountability.

Historical Context

By 1990, AIDS had claimed tens of thousands of lives in the United States. Activist groups such as ACT UP and numerous grassroots organizations criticized federal leaders for slow responses to the epidemic, insufficient funding for research and treatment, and policies that contributed to stigma against LGBTQ+ communities. Artists like Sue Coe documented this period through works that served not only as art but also as tools of protest and public education.

Why This Matters Today

Bush AIDS (Swindle & Loot) reminds us that public health crises are never purely medical—they are also shaped by politics, prejudice, and access to resources. The poster stands as a testament to the voices of activists, artists, caregivers, and people living with HIV/AIDS who demanded to be seen, heard, and valued. Today, it remains an important artifact of LGBTQ+ history and a powerful example of how art can challenge systems of power and inspire social change.