Chinese # 72 - Africans

This Chinese propaganda poster, published in 1972, is titled 不可抗拒的历史潮流, translated as “Irresistible Historical Trend.” The large text below the image reads: “Countries Want Independence, Nations Want Liberation, the People Want Revolution.” The poster was designed by the Shanghai Workers’ Art Factory and published by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House. This particular version was produced for international distribution, with its message printed in Chinese, English and French. The central image is a photograph of a monumental sculptural group created by the Shanghai Workers’ Art Factory. It depicts African men and women advancing together, some carrying rifles and a bow and arrow. The sculpture presents them as participants in African national-liberation struggles, and the accompanying text declares support for African opposition to colonialism and racial discrimination. The poster has a particularly interesting connection to China’s return to the United Nations. In October 1971, U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 recognized representatives of the People’s Republic of China as China’s representatives at the United Nations. On November 15, 1971, the PRC delegation attended the General Assembly for the first time. Its delegation leader, Qiao Guanhua, used the phrase “Countries want independence, nations want liberation, and the people want revolution,” describing this as an irresistible historical trend. The slogan was subsequently incorporated into this 1972 poster series.The international edition shown here reflects the outward-looking character of the campaign. Rather than concentrating on Chinese domestic development, it presents China’s declared support for anti-colonial and national-liberation movements abroad. The restrained cream background and dark bronze appearance of the sculpture give the image a monumental quality, while the bold blue panel across the bottom carries the political message in several languages.The Shanghai Workers’ Art Factory was a collective rather than an individually credited artist, reflecting the collaborative production of much Chinese propaganda art during this period. This is an Original Vintage Poster, it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.