I don't know much about the art of contemporary China.
I know that there are a lot of political posters featuring Mao.
And I know from a biography of Wu GuanZhong that he and other artists were "reformed through labour".
Reading here: http://chineseposters.net/gallery/ Then am I beginning to understand that the political posters communicate not an ideology, but different ideologies - it's a media that was used by different parties, including both the democrats and the communists - to communicate their message to the masses.
"The bulk of China is controlled by the Nationalist Party (Guomindang, 国民党, old transcription: Kuomintang), which is especially strong in the urban areas. The Communists entrench themselves in the countryside. Both parties use posters to try and mobilize the population to resist the common enemy, Japan."
Here are some examples of earlier posters not featuring Mao.
Guomintang
Designer unknown (佚名)
ca. 1937
Defeat Japanese imperialism
Dadao Riben diguozhuyi (打倒日本帝国主义)
Publisher: Junshi weiyuanhui zhengxunchu (军事委员会政训处)
Size: 64.5x39 cm.
Call number: BG D25/197 (Landsberger collection)
Anti-Japanese propaganda from the Nationalist Party (Guomindang, 国民党).
There is also something from the Japanese:
Designer unknown (佚名)
ca. 1938
Oppose Communism
Size: 74x52 cm.
Call number: BG E27/165 (IISH collection)
Japanese propaganda. An imaginary pro-Japanese demonstration, with Chinese carrying slogans: Oppose Communism; Long Live North-China; Forward China Japan Manchuko; Peace in East Asia; Down with the Communist Party; Have full confidence in the Japanese Army; Peace and happiness; A bright North China; Down with the Guomindang.
Feminism
Designer: Zhang Yuqing (章育青)
1955
New China's female parachuters
Xin Zhongguode nü tiaosanyuan (新中国的女跳伞员)
Publisher: Shanghai huapian chubanshe (上海画片出版社)
Size: 55x79 cm.
Call number: BG E15/27 (Landsberger collection)
Female parachuters appear often on posters, to show the emancipation of women and the role of the People's Liberation Army in their liberation.
Pretty random - and perhaps thus, my favourite.
Designer: Shao Jingyun
1955, October
Sleep, do not disturb daddy while he is using his head
Shui ba bie darao baba dong naojin (睡吧别打扰爸爸动脑筋)
Publisher: Shanghai huapian chubanshe (上海画片出版社)
Size: 54x78 cm.
Call number: BG E16/631 (IISH collection)
A family of four, apperently living in a one-room apartment. Father will study or work at the table while the children sleep.
