Artwork
Brinsley Schwartz
Brinsley Schwartz is a poster by Martin Walker. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1974 colour screenprint poster promotes a Brinsley Schwarz concert at North London Polytechnic on 13 November 1974.
About this work
Overview
This 1974 colour screenprint poster promotes a Brinsley Schwarz concert at North London Polytechnic on 13 November 1974. Its distinctive design combines mundane and surreal elements.
Subject & Meaning
The poster depicts an anonymous, uniformed figure wearing a gas mask and policeman’s helmet, topped by a brightly coloured butterfly. This juxtaposition of everyday objects with the bizarre may convey a sense of social commentary or irony, characteristic of late 1960s and early 1970s protest aesthetics.
Technique & Style
Executed as a screenprint, the poster’s bold, flat colours and graphic simplicity evoke the assertive visual language of 1960s student protest art, notably the May 1968 Paris riots’ graphic output.
History & Provenance
Created in 1974 for a specific concert event, the poster features period-specific details such as ticket prices (40p and 60p) and a venue (North London Polytechnic), with a mysterious 'P.I.L.' label on the figure’s chest.
Context
The work is associated with the British punk movement of the 1970s, given its connection to the band Brinsley Schwarz. Similar posters can be found in collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
British designer Martin Walker turned bold typography and stark slogans into rallying cries on 1970s protest posters.
