Political posters often provide the defining images of general elections and a new exhibition, curated by an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) doctoral student, showcases some of the most resonant election images of the 20th Century.

Taking place at the People’s History Museum, Manchester, until June 2012 the exhibition delves into the Museum’s own unique collection of political posters, the largest in the UK.

Displaying over 60 iconic examples, this exhibition explores the development of the poster and examines one of the key aspects of our democracy: how parties speak to the people and crucially, how this communication has changed.

Extensive research by exhibition curator and PhD student Chris Burgess has enabled the exhibition to illustrate for the first time how some of these significant posters developed from the original concept of the party leader to the final image. The exhibition displays the process of poster design, from initial idea, through preliminary artwork, to final product.  The thematic displays demonstrate how the treatment of some subjects has changed dramatically over the period, for example, the depiction of women. Conversely it also highlights how other subjects remain constant, such as representations of the party leader.

As well as enjoying the visual spectacle of these striking posters, visitors will have an opportunity to make up slogans and create their own posters or even feature in a poster themselves.

http://www.phm.org.uk/whatson/picturing-politics-exploring-the-political-poster-in-britain/

ENDS

AHRC Media contact: Jake Gilmore, Communications Manager, 01793 416021; j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk  

Notes to editors:

The research for this exhibition is part of an ongoing collaboration between the People’s History Museum and the University of Nottingham and is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

People's History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER
Web www.phm.org.uk    Twitter @PHMMcr Facebook.com/PHMMcr  

To keep up to date with the ongoing development of the exhibition, issues that arise during the research, and the odd sneak preview of the material that is being uncovered, visit the blog being written by Chris Burgess http://picturingpolitics.wordpress.com/

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): Each year the AHRC provides approximately £100 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes hundreds of research awards ranging from individual fellowships to major collaborative projects as well as over 1,100 studentship awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.