The posters that helped topple communism go on display in Westminster

"The slogans shouted in the streets, the posters pasted to walls, and the banners waved above crowds often outlive the policy arguments that inspired them. They distil complicated political struggles into a few sharp words and images. They are the visual shorthand of dissent."

"There is something quite compelling about clever advertising, where a complicated message can be transformed into an image or slogan that just resonates. Whether it's selling a bar of chocolate or the right to live in a free society, a clever poster endures for the ages."

"Each of the posters is both a political message and a cultural artefact, capturing the urgency, humour and creativity that often accompany moments of upheaval."

An exhibition showcases political posters from Central and Eastern Europe during the 1989-90 pro-democracy revolutions, exploring how visual design and slogans became the defining symbols of these movements. Posters served as visual shorthand for dissent, transforming complicated political messages into sharp, resonant images and words that outlasted the specific policy debates. The display features posters arranged on both columns and walls, with works reflecting the urgency, humor, and creativity of revolutionary moments. These pieces function simultaneously as political statements and cultural artifacts, capturing the era when people overthrew communist dictatorships and gained freedoms. The exhibition demonstrates how clever design can communicate complex messages effectively, whether promoting consumer goods or fundamental rights to freedom and democracy.

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