Picturing the PastCommunist China Poster Art One of the most popular art forms in Communist China was poster art, millions of copies of which were printed to adorn the walls of homes, offices, factories, and businesses. This uniquely Chinese form contained neither abstract, modern, or bourgeois elements nor classical Chinese art styles. Such posters glorified the state, its leaders, and the heroes of the revolution. The two young women in this poster wear uniforms and caps bearing the Communist red star, the five points of which represent the five components of Communist society: the youth, the army, the peasants, the workers, and the intellectuals. (Courtesy, Chinese Poster Collection, University of Westminster, London)ANALYZING THE IMAGE Who is depicted, and what are they doing? What message do you think the artist seeks to convey with this image?CONNECTIONS What social function or application might posters such as this one have? Is this sort of expression unique to Communist societies, or can you think of examples of other types of art that promote public messages?