20 Years of Stop the War: A Visual Retrospective

Abstract

Regime Change Begins At Home Playing Cards and Drop Bombs Not Beats Poster as part of 20 Years of Stop the War: A Visual Retrospective group show. Nunnery Gallery, Bow Arts, London.

Great protest movements have always inspired artists. The anti-war movement of the last 20 years is no exception. In the process of mobilising huge numbers of people against foreign wars, the Stop the War movement has inspired a wide range of artists, designers, filmmakers, photographers and musicians. They have used their skills to help the movement project its message, to create a vibrant record of its activities and produce a body of anti-war art that has spoken personally to millions. The movement which began in 2001 with demonstrations against the invasion of Afghanistan, mobilised millions against the Iraq war, and continued protesting over Palestine and the Middle East wars, sparked the political consciousness of a whole generation. This exhibition is the product of this encounter. It provides a brief history of the movement and some idea of the remarkable creativity that truly popular mobilisation can unleash.

Other exhibitors: Banksy, Vivienne Westwood, Brian Eno, Ben Eine, David Gentleman, kennardphillipps, Katherine Hamnett, Rob Montgomery, Martin Rowson, Ed Hall, Jess Hurd, Guy Smallman, Kristian Buss, Amir Amirani, Jim Aindow