'A good piece of propaganda is often a striking piece of art.' Political propaganda has been extremely popular through the early ages, when people began voting and choosing their leaders. Even before the days of printing technologies, hand painted posters were quite popular. These were later replaced by small-scale prints. Today, advanced technologies has made it easier for politicians to create many such portraits in shorter time frames.
The element of propaganda portraits
While all such portraits basically promote a leader or a political idea, the underlying component in most of such artworks is emotion. So whether Chairman Mao showcases the diverse aspects of a real leader or soviet posters speak of liberal thinking, all appeal to emotions, more than simple rational thinking. Over time, this style was also used to dehumanize the enemy and create hatred towards them. Government and public health sectors have used these also to spread social messages against terrorism, smoking and other social evils.
While all such portraits basically promote a leader or a political idea, the underlying component in most of such artworks is emotion. So whether Chairman Mao showcases the diverse aspects of a real leader or soviet posters speak of liberal thinking, all appeal to emotions, more than simple rational thinking. Over time, this style was also used to dehumanize the enemy and create hatred towards them. Government and public health sectors have used these also to spread social messages against terrorism, smoking and other social evils.
Styles
Styles of such posters differ with different nations and times. All countries go through different political upheavals and ideals and posters depicting the ideas of those times hold good. The Russian revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries worked on dissemination of revolutionary ideas, Marxism teachings and stirring of political unrest. The 'Chairman Mao' inspired portraits of China also deserve special mention for their style. Using vibrant colours of red, these posters depict the vibrant and shining side of China. Most importantly, these showcase the various aspects of the leader that the political party wanted its public to perceive. Besides these styles, revolution in central and eastern Europe, World War and cold wars between various nations have led to the creation of distinct propaganda portrait styles.
Styles of such posters differ with different nations and times. All countries go through different political upheavals and ideals and posters depicting the ideas of those times hold good. The Russian revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries worked on dissemination of revolutionary ideas, Marxism teachings and stirring of political unrest. The 'Chairman Mao' inspired portraits of China also deserve special mention for their style. Using vibrant colours of red, these posters depict the vibrant and shining side of China. Most importantly, these showcase the various aspects of the leader that the political party wanted its public to perceive. Besides these styles, revolution in central and eastern Europe, World War and cold wars between various nations have led to the creation of distinct propaganda portrait styles.
Propaganda and pop art
Pop art or popular art, largely inspires itself from contemporary styles. Propaganda is thus a style of pop art that has grown over the years. With these portraits appealing to emotions, and being influenced by large wars and political beliefs, each style has a unique story to tell. Many artists love to continue this art, in order to keep alive the emotions and thoughts that the world must once have gone through.
Pop art or popular art, largely inspires itself from contemporary styles. Propaganda is thus a style of pop art that has grown over the years. With these portraits appealing to emotions, and being influenced by large wars and political beliefs, each style has a unique story to tell. Many artists love to continue this art, in order to keep alive the emotions and thoughts that the world must once have gone through.
Is propaganda art right for you
If you are deciding on a pop art form for yourself and are considering Propaganda pop art, then here are some aspects to help you decide. If you want your personalized portrait to tell the story of a bygone era then this is a good choice. If you are passionate about world history, then this piece would be add to your collection in a much more personalized manner. Another reason why you could opt for this is freshness of style and content. Also, if your family has closely been associated with one of the revolutions, the portrait may be a time capsule connecting you to the bygone era.
If you are deciding on a pop art form for yourself and are considering Propaganda pop art, then here are some aspects to help you decide. If you want your personalized portrait to tell the story of a bygone era then this is a good choice. If you are passionate about world history, then this piece would be add to your collection in a much more personalized manner. Another reason why you could opt for this is freshness of style and content. Also, if your family has closely been associated with one of the revolutions, the portrait may be a time capsule connecting you to the bygone era.
Today pop art has varied styles that are growing and evolving by the day. From the styles that come and go, Propaganda is one that has stayed and will remain for years to come. This is because, it is the only form of art which brings a piece of history to life and connects today's world to the political ideals, beliefs and thoughts of the past.
Ronan Le Breton is a pop art artist and also owner of Personal Art, a pop art gallery based in Bali. The studio provides approximately 21 versions of pop art portraits which can be personalized on to diverse mediums.
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