Catalogue Number
NMLH.2025.37.88
Object Name
Poster
Title
Let's pretend the sky is blue, the sea is always calm
Place
Paddington Printshop, London
People
John Phillips (designer); Paddington Printshop
Date
c.1979
Description
Screenprinted poster, featuring sheet music with lyrics reading "Let's pretend the sky is blue, the sea is always calm, The burning sky's a sunset, not napalm, The morning breeze is pure and sweetly fresh - But isn't that the smell of putrefying flesh?" The text and music is white on a blue background. In the bottom right corner is a cartoon image of a white person with blonde hair wearing red sunglasses. Reflected in the lenses are repeat photographs of a person with dark brown skin who appears to be crying out with their mouth open. Above the cartoon person is a white print of a missile-carrying jet plane. In small text on the left are two more verses and "Words & music by Evan MacColl[?] and Shelley Music[?]" [Text is unclear].
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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