Protest: Fight the Power!
Twenty Years of the Political Poster
An exhibition of shock and awe by graphic designers from around the world.
At Zellig, the Custard Factory Birmingham, from 3rd to 26th June 2010
Political posters; icons of protest or
cheap propaganda? In every battle for
hearts and minds, all sides use designers
as hired guns. Fight The Power brings
you the most radical images and exciting
approaches we could find from all sides in
the global struggle for change.
The British Council Collection.
When Liz McQuiston toured her show of
UK political posters across South Africa,
Botswana and Mozambique, she collected
new and exciting local examples wherever
she exhibited. Our 'remixhibition' draws
from her British Council archive, recut with
new images and stories that reveal our
fears and concerns in the Obama Age.
Flashmobs; Anti-Social Networking.
The internet makes it free and easy to dis-
tribute all the print and graphics we want.
With behind-the-scenes access to Punch's
“Save The Asian Network Campaign”, we
show that strong graphic design is as im-
portant as ever when the message hits
www.facebook.com/fight.the.power.show
the streets.
The Force of Fela Kuti.
Beaten and imprisoned for his uncom-
promising anti-government antics, the late
Nigerian activist and musician Fela Kuti
remains a counterculture icon. “Blackism
– a Force of the Mind” is an Afrocentric
emblem designed in his honour by his
sleeve artist Lemi Ghariokwu. We've in-
cluded Fela's message restated in fashion
by Yetty D, in graphic design by Karl Bax-
ter and in a painted diptych by Kal Malhi -
all from Punch's “Art's Own Kind” exhibi-
tion.
Fight The Power; a “Remixhibtion”
We're also exhibiting parts of Redhawk
Logistica's viral “Message Board” project,
Aerosol Arabic's “Gaza” campaign and
dozens of images sourced or suggested
through our Facebook group. Please join
us – send or recommend what you think
we should have here and shape the future
of the show.
Enjoy the Exhibition!
www.bassfestival.co.uk
www.punch-records.co.uk