Poster for Tomorrow: 100 best posters reveal the ugly truths of our society

The posters are based on the theme, Work Right, and portray issues that are commonplace across the world.

KARACHI: Economic and cultural differences may separate the developed countries from the developing world but there are certain social issues that hit home in all geographical locations. These issues were highlighted in the 'Exhibition of 100 best posters' under the theme of 'Work Right!' at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Friday.

The exhibition was organised by Poster for Tomorrow, in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Around 100 posters selected from a total of 4,301 entries from 133 countries were put on display at the exhibition.

With the idea stemming from France in 2009, it is for the first time that collections targeting themes of child labour, gender inequality and suppression of labour rights are being showcased in Pakistan. About the various themes on display in the gallery, journalist and social activist Zubeida Mustafa spoke about the universality of the issues, which were largely ignored by society. "The fact that you see similar themes from several countries is evidence that issues of unemployment, employee exploitation and child labour are indeed global," she said, adding that child labour and suppression of labour rights were the two key topics hitting home.

Many of the entries focused on issues of disability in countries such as Belgium, Bolivia and Iran. One powerful and inspiring poster showed the map of Africa as a block of chocolate with a tag line, "They never taste what they make," with a message beneath saying, "Most children between the ages of five and 16 years work on choco farms in Africa."

Among the top 100 entries from around the world was Sarah Nisar's poster, titled 'Understand the Difference'. The second-year student at Karachi University's Visual Studies Department had designed a poster featuring a block that was half-brick while the other half was a child's toy. "Some children don't get to play with toy blocks. For them, bricks in kilns are the only toys," Nisar told The Express Tribune, adding that it was indeed a grave issue in this part of the world.

"We all fight for rights to freedom of speech and security but forget to talk about economic and social issues that become the source of silent death for many," said Mustafa, adding that working according to your wishes and getting acknowledged for it is something not everyone is bestowed with.

"The collection is powerful and thought provoking. And an artist from Karachi making it among the 100 best ones entirely on internet entries is a proud moment for Pakistan," said Durriya Kazi, the head of KU's visual studies department.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2014.