1970s
The Cultural Revolution continued into the 1970s, officially ending when Mao died in 1976, after which the Gang of Four were arrested and
put on trial.
The early 1970s posters are diverse ...more
The Cultural Revolution continued into the 1970s, officially ending when Mao died in 1976, after which the Gang of Four were arrested and
put on trial.
The early 1970s posters are diverse and include a revival of Mao's status as a leader moving away from the strident message of the mid to late 1960s, 'educated youth' in the countryside and the continual promotion of agricultural production (Dazhai commune). Late 1970s (1976-1978) posters promote the acceptance of Hua Guofeng the interim leader and a gradual softening of political imagery comes into view with themes of patriotism, posthumous Mao nostalgia and more depictions of women and children. A stylistic turning point is seen in 1979 when Deng Xiaoping came to power launching his Four Modernisations campaign to modernise Science, Industry, Agriculture and Defence. The posters of this period (1979-1982) frequently emphasise the study of science as a means to develop socialism. less
