Political poster collectives blossomed around the world in the late 1970s and ’80s. Presented here is work by radical Australian poster collectives that formed around this time, as well as a recently acquired suite of posters by the notorious Guerrilla Girls.
Together, these works engage with political issues that remain relevant in our time, from youth unemployment to the poor representation of women in art galleries. The posters are by turns funny, angry and earnest. Bound together by their declamatory style, they represent the most direct form of political art. Yet they do not embody a single attitude or position. The range of works feature many conflicting messages. In their very directness, these posters expose the cracks within what is often called left-wing politics.
