Propaganda Prints reviews the history, the cultural diversity and the legacy of art produced in the service of social and political change from ancient times to the present day.
The images speak of state control, opposition, revolution, advertising, politics and self-promotion. They evoke some of the dreams and concerns which have driven humanity through the last five thousand years. The Ancient Mesopotamians are there with the Romans, the Crusaders, the Normans, the Victorians, the Suffragettes, the Nazis and the Hippies. The American, French, Russian, Mexican, Chinese and Cuban revolutions all contribute, as do far too many wars. From Gutenberg's printing press to You Tube, from Alexander to Obama, this review of propaganda art reflects the best and the worst of us, and offers the pictures by way of consolation.
