Catalogue Number
NMLH.2025.37.57
Object Name
Poster
Title
Money Talks at the Building Communities Conference
Place
Paddington Printshop, London
People
John Phillips (designer); Paddington Printshop; National Campaign against the Sale of Council Estates
Date
1987
Description
Screenprinted poster, "Money Talks at the Building Communities Conference" along the top. Below is an illustration of a person in a suit and tie wearing a bowler hat, but their face is replaced by countless mouths with tongues poking out. Down the right side reads "BEWARE" in white on pink, the largest text on the poster. A red block in the bottom left contains white text, "There is much talk of 'Urban Renewal'. Private devlopers, local councils and the government are all speaking about 'new initiatives to revitalize the innercities in partnership with the private sector'. But this takes no account of the communities who live these areas. It is merely a partnership of politics and profits to the exclusion of the residents. The National Campaign against the Sale of Council Estates is resisting this attack. Tenants are demanding that no council property is sold - but instead council estates are fully repaired for council tenants, and for those in need of a decent low rented home."
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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