| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ARTV10136 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 52 x 35.4 cm |
| Object type | Poster |
| Physical description | colour linocut on paper with linen backing |
| Maker |
Oldham, John The Forward Press Pty. Ltd. |
| Place made | Australia, Australia: New South Wales, Sydney |
| Date made | c. 1938 |
| Conflict |
Period 1930-1939 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Unlicensed copyright |
Stevens uses 150th for profits and war. Workers demonstrate On May Day
Description
A caricatured portrait of Premier Bertram Stevens, leader of the United Australian Party from 1932, who is represented as a pirate. Following the worst of the Depression years many Australians were disillusioned by society's failure to cope with the hardships. Radical anti-fascist groups began to emerge in Australia, and in 1935 the Workers' Art Guild formed, of which John Oldham was a member. The Guild was part of an Australia-wide movement supported by the Communist party which aimed to radicalise society. The accompanying text reflects the Guild's distaste towards the Premier's use of government funds and urges workers to demonstrate in opposition. The hammer and sickle Communist logo is displayed in the corner, promoting the Guild's Communist standpoint.