Past prints, present reflections: peace posters in a digital age
In an era dominated by digital images and social media, the pop-up gallery exhibit, Signs of Peace: A Retrospective of Peace Posters brings to life a fading art form that once played a powerful role in social and political advocacy. Featuring over 50 posters from organizations linked to the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, such as Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Project Ploughshares and the Conrad Grebel University College Archive, this exhibit offers a rare glimpse into a genre that has somewhat vanished from the public eye.
Curated by Paul Heidebrecht, the exhibit draws on formal and informal collections, with various styles and messages. The exhibit showcases posters that address pressing themes such as war, weapons, displacement, hunger, justice, and hope. Posters, with their distinct combination of visual artistry and evocative slogans, have historically served as a tangible form of shared expression.
The genesis of this exhibit lies in the growing concern that the physical poster, once a powerful medium for social and political advocacy, is becoming obsolete in our digital age. Paul Heidebrecht reflects this change by stating, “You'll find posters in my basement and garage, but rarely in the main areas of my home.” One intriguing find was a handwritten note on the back of one of the posters indicating it was found in the Conrad Grebel University College dorms many years later, lost behind a cabinet.
The peace posters in the exhibit span various decades and artistic styles and underscore the evolution of peace advocacy and visual design.
The exhibit is particularly notable for its thematic breadth. Each poster is a piece of visual storytelling, reflecting diverse responses to global issues and personal experiences. For instance, the “‘1996 Canada Vietnam Week’” poster notably uses the term "genocide," a term which was not frequently used until more recent decades. Similarly, the 2009 ‘”Live for Peace’” campaign posters reflect a push for Mennonites and churches to engage more publicly in peace messaging through graphics and slogans. The idea was for individual churches and congregations to rent local billboards and add spaces to replicate a common message for peace across North America.
In preserving and displaying these historical pieces, the exhibit not only honors a fading art form but also prompts us to consider what lessons these visual messages can still teach us today.
The exhibit will be on view until October 31st, with the Grebel Gallery open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 10:00 pm. Visitors are invited to share their thoughts and feedback on the posters through this form. Additionally, a dedicated wall adjacent to the gallery features contributions from the community, displaying recently added pieces and reflections. If you have peace posters to lend for the exhibit, contact the gallery to include your items in this evolving display.