Creating dialogue is a vital function of the visual arts. Artists and designers create works that expose, challenge, and confront social or cultural systems. These systems define the individual lived experience, but are built upon the complex intersections of the human condition. ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries present 20×20 Posters for Peace, an international exhibition organized by Pasaj Cultural Arts Collaborative and curated by Art & Design faculty Johnathon Strube, November 4–22, 2024.
Project director Pouya Jahanshahi describes the 20×20 Posters for Peace initiative: Commanding the visual realm of the public sphere, posters have long been the medium of choice to communicate matters of urgency and social change. While the digital realm has taken posters to a new dimension, their power to demand attention from the viewer gives posters a platform of communication unlike any other. Whether by pure agitation, or by indirect confrontation, posters act as a one-to-one voice—a personal message from the designer to the audience. Furthermore, as a platform for interaction with society at large, posters bring forth the dedication of the designer and the social responsibility that has come to be placed on their shoulders as communicators of the voice of dissent and social change.
Contextual Backdrop
Posters as Expressions of Peace, the project originated as a collaborative exchange between graphic designers headed by Pouya Jahanshahi and cofounder Zahra Pashaie, featuring 20 Iranian and 20 American artists in 2017. Since then, they have added artists from Mexico (2018), China (2019), and most recently, Denmark (2021). Director Pouya added:
[…] amidst turbulent times—such as ours—Posters for Peace exhibitions stand as profound symbols, transcending cultural boundaries and echoing the universal language of graphic design. They encapsulate the value of diverse perspectives and the rich cultural heritage of humanity. Hence, these exhibitions become crucial sanctuaries, fostering harmony, empathy, and understanding across diverse communities. Through artistic expressions, they not only ignite conversations but also celebrate the mosaic of human experiences, instilling compassion and reinforcing the innate human longing for peace. […] these exhibitions remind us that cooperation and mutual respect can surmount cultural, ideological, and national differences, emphasizing that amidst conflict, peace remains within reach through collective effort and respect for one another; towards an expression of solidarity through design and a united voice for peace.
The ETSU exhibition was first featured at Tipton Gallery during the summer of 2024 and again in November at Slocumb Galleries in partnership with ETSU Votes. Peace posters featured are by artists Finn Nygaard, Gitte Kath, Lars Pryds, Duncan aka Mervyn Kurlansky, and Rikke Hansen from Denmark; with Chinese counterparts Cao Ruping, Hao Junjun, and Zhao Chao; Mexican graphic designers Eduardo Barrerra + Veronika Pocarovska, Eric Olivares, Gustavo Morainslie, Jose Manuel Morelos, and Victor Gally; US artists Ed Fella, John Gravdahl, Matt Chase, Oliver Munday, Sean Adams, Tom Davie and Pouya Jahanshahi; joined by Iranian graphic designers Farzad Adibi, Hassan Karimzadeh, Homa Delvaray, Majid Kashani, Saleh Tasbihi and Pasaj co-founder Zahra Pashaei.
Collaborative Programming
In response to this context, curator and ETSU Graphic Design Professor Johnathon Strube organized a community discussion as part of the opening at Slocumb Galleries to encourage voting amongst students and advocate for peace. This event presented the second Diverse Discussions round-table. The round-table panel brought together scholars from across ETSU to share their expertise and engage in a dialogue inspired by the visual arts—providing insight into the modern interpretation of peace and related topics challenging society and culture.
Nathaniel Farnor, Coordinator, Leadership & Civic Engagement, ETSU
This exhibition and event were sponsored by the Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries.
Thumbnail image: Peace, Please from Lars Pryds, Denmark, 2021
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