"Ariel Dorfman Cultural Repression in Chille poster" [NMLH.2025.37.185]

Catalogue Number
NMLH.2025.37.185

Object Name
Poster

Title
Artists for Democracy Festival 14 Oct - 1 Nov 1974. Ariel Dorfman 'Cultural Repression in Chile'

Place
Paddington Printshop, London; Chile; Latin America

People
Paddington Printshop

Date
1974

Description
Screenprinted poster, in red on a white background, "Artists for Democracy Festival 14 Oct - 1 Nov 1974. Ariel Dorfman 'Cultural Repression in Chile' - Symposium on Latin American Culture 15 Oct 8pm - Royal College of Art Kensington Gore SW7". Below is a drawing of a person's head with a box covering just their eyes, with a padlock either side where their eyes should be. Another padlock clamps their lips shut, and the box strucutre is held on by a chain around the head.

This poster was made by Paddington Printshop, a community graphic design and print workshop in West London, co-founded by John Phillips and Pippa Smith. Between 1975-1991, the centre printed over 400 designs for left-wing community organisations. These publicised local political campaigns such as housing rights and food co-ops, to social gatherings including play days, gardening clubs, gigs and festivals. Their do-it-yourself style was part of the proto-punk ethos.

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