Graphic Design: Incredible Cuban propaganda posters from OSPAAAL

Words: Liv Siddall
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Date: 28 January 2014; Work
Graphic Design

Bit late on the uptake on this one, but oh well, there’s always enough time in the day for legendary Cuban propaganda posters, right? The OSPAAAL Posters Show at London’s Kemistry gallery has unfortunately just closed its doors to the public. If you didn’t make it, have no fear! Michael Tyler’s collection of Cuban posters are here on the World Wide Web for you to browse as much as you wish.

Featuring wild, unpredictable illustrations punctured with bold letterpress typography, these posters are a side of Cuba I personally had not appreciated until now. Che Guevara pops up a lot, sure, but the level of propaganda and the sheer brilliance of the designs of these posters is a whole new world of graphic design. Something about the AK-47s lurking amongst the vibrant colours and appealing imagery is enough to give you the chills.

In Kemistry’s words: “Bold, colourful and eclectic, OSPAAAL posters are widely considered the front-runners in propaganda art. They reveal the idealistic spirit at the core of the Cuban revolution, intent on fighting globalisation, imperialism and defending human rights. Politics aside, they are a testament to the creativity of the Cuban people, an important legacy that has put Cuba at the centre of cultural activity in the Hispanic world for a generation.”

Read the full story of Michael’s collection of posters over here on the V&A website.

Images courtesy of Lincoln Cushing/Docs Populi.

A graphic poster in orange, yellow and black featuring a stylised figure. The figure’s body forms an hourglass shape, with a rifle cutting across the centre. Text at the bottom reads “Day of Solidarity with the People of Venezuela” and “November 21” in Spanish, English, French and Arabic. — Above
Faustino Perez: 1969 – Day of Solidarity with Venezuela

A black poster featuring the number “4000” in large, cream typography at the top. Below it, the phrase “Viet Nam, Tomb of Imperialism” is repeated in Spanish, English and Arabic. A stylised, cream-coloured aeroplane is positioned at the bottom. — Above
Alfredo Rostgaard: 1972 – 4000 – Viet Nam – Tomb of Imperialism

An illustration of a stylised Buddha figure in yellow and purple against a deep blue background. A smaller figure is cradled in the Buddha's arms, holding a rifle. Text at the bottom reads “Day of Solidarity with the People of Laos (October 12)” in Spanish, French and English. — Above
Rafael Zarsa: 1969 – Day of Solidarity with the people of Laos

A poster featuring a textured, dark face with a vertical line of colourful circles running down the centre. Above the head, a cluster of white concentric circles floats against a gold background. Text at the top reads “Day of Solidarity with the Japanese People (August 6)” in English, Spanish, French and Arabic. — Above
Guilermo Menendez: 1969 – Day of solidarity with the Japanese people

An orange illustration of an assault rifle overlaid with a wooden bow and arrow. Text at the bottom reads “International Week of Solidarity with Viet Nam (March 13 to 19)” in Spanish, French, English and Arabic. — Above
Jesus Forjans: 1969 – International week of solidarity with Vietnam

A grainy, sepia-toned photograph of four people in military uniforms standing in a wooded area. Three of them hold rifles aloft in the air. — Above
Alfredo Rostgaard: 1970 – Many Che’s

A political poster featuring the word “Saigon” repeated four times in bold, stacked typography. Each line incorporates a different flag, ending with the yellow and red flag of South Vietnam. Text at the bottom reads “International Week of Solidarity with Viet-Nam (March 13-19)” in Spanish, English, French and Arabic. — Above
Rene Menderos: 1970 – Saigon / Week of solidarity with Viet Nam

Above

Alfredo Rostgaard: 1971 – Sekou Toure

A red and cream poster featuring four figures on horseback, carrying rifles. Arabic text runs across the top and bottom, with the lower text appearing to drip like liquid. At the base, the phrase “Unity of the Arab peoples” and “Nationalization of oil” is written in Spanish, French and English. — Above
Olivio Martinez: 1972 – Unity of the Arab peoples – Nationalization of Oil

A high-contrast, stippled portrait of Mehdi Ben Barka. Text at the bottom reads “DESAPARICION DE BEN BARKA 29 de octubre”, “DISAPPEARANCE OF BEN BARKA October 29” and “LA DISPARITION DE BEN BARKA le 29 octobre”. — Above
Antonio Fernandez: 1971 – Disappearance of Ben Barka

A graphic poster in red and tan featuring a pattern of concentric circles. Text at the top reads “Together with Viet Nam” in English, Spanish and French, with the dates “march 13–19”. — Above
Ernesto Padron: 1971 – Together with Vietnam

Further Info

www.kemistrygallery.co.uk

About the Author

Liv Siddall

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Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

Graphic Design: Incredible Cuban propaganda posters from OSPAAAL

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