Catalogue Number
NMLH.2025.37.230
Object Name
Poster
Title
Crisis news
Place
Paddington Printshop, London
People
Paddington Printshop
Description
Screenprinted poster, âCrisis newsâ in bold black text along the top, beside an image of a skull with âblood, sweat, toilâ in text above in a ribbon. The rest of the page is small handwritten text which begins, âThe call for national unity is this swan-song of desperate men who have nothing to offer us but blood, sweat and toil, the only thing that isn't rationed these days. Funny isn't it, how their blunders can only be redeemed by our sacrifices as if we hadn't sacrificed enough for the sake of a âliving wageâ. And now it appears we can even do without that but how many MPs do you suppose are being laid off or going on a three-day week? The text is black on a white background.
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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