Items
-
Whatever Your Job May Be, Fight
"Aldwinckle was born in Oxford, England and moved to Canada in 1922. Largely self-taught, he worked as a graphic designer and during WWII was a camouflage artist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. This poster reflects the influence of Soviet Realism and the fraternal struggle of soldiers and workers labouring inseparably side by side. After the war, Aldwinckle became well known for his murals and illustrations." (Art Collection: Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress) -
Men of Valor Series: LCol. Meritt
"A native of Prince Edward Island, Hubert Rogers received art training in Toronto and Boston before establishing his career as a book illustrator in the U.S., particularly in science fiction publications. This poster is one of a series commemorating Canadian war heroes published by the Wartime Information Board in Ottawa. The text is from the citation awarding the Victoria Cross to Lieutenant-colonel Merritt (1908-2000), commander of the South Saskatchewan Regiment. In the Dieppe raid on August 19, 1942 Merritt's actions helped secure the regiment's strategic objectives, but he was taken prisoner and spent the remainder of the war in captivity. " (Art collection: Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress) -
Shoulder to Shoulder: Canadian Women's Army Corps
"During WWII women were encouraged to work on the homefront in industry and agriculture, and to join the Canadian Women's Army Corps where they maintained and drove military vehicles and performed signalling duties. The upbeat imagery in this recruitment poster reinforces the role of unarmed women in non-combative roles." (Art Collection: Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress) -
By Their Work
"This poster was a reminder to the public that Canadian males were sacrificing their lives to protect the values and way of life of their loved ones on the home front. The newspaper headline hints at the equation between investment in Victory bonds and ultimate triumph over Canada's Axis enemies fighting in Europe, North Africa, and East Asia." (Art Collection: Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress) -
How about You?
"Alex McLaren studied at Dundee School of Art in Scotland and the School of Fine Art in Montreal under Edmond Dyonnet. This recruiting poster features the image of a Canadian airman and is based on a portrait by Charles Henry Biddle of Calgary. Following its publication the Canadian government felt the image was too romantic, and the following year reissued the same poster but with a bloodied bandage wrapped around the airman's head." (Art Collection: Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress) -
Every Dollar Spent in Canada
During WWI the Canadian government, along with other Commonwealth countries, issued 'Victory Bonds' to help fund the war effort, especially military salaries and equipment. One hundred million dollars of Victory Bonds were issued, maturing with interest in five, 10, or 20 years. Five campaigns from 1915 through 1919 were launched, with accompanying promotional posters such as this one, coordinated by the Victory Loan Dominion Publicity Committee. -
If the Cap Fits, Wear It!
This poster was produced in support of the war effort by the National Film Board of Canada. The imagery of caps was designed to encourage Canadians to see themselves participating on the homefront or in service, whether as a worker in industry or agriculture, or in service as a member of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, or the Royal Canadian Navy. -
They serve France; How can I serve Canada?
"In 1916 the Canadian government created the War Poster Service to produce posters in both official languages. As the war progressed, the need for money and soldiers became more pressing, and posters became more graphic and direct in their messaging. In this poster French women are pictured bending to the arduous task of plowing fields by hand, imagery based on the poster 'Will You Help the Women of France,' by American illustrator and graphic designer Edward Penfield (1886-1925)." (Art Collection: Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress) -
The Cat and Mouse Act
The poster presents a visual metaphor of Britain's Prisoner's Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health Act, commonly known as the 'Cat and Mouse Act' by the militant Women's Social and Political Union. In 1913 and 1914 the forced feeding of imprisoned suffragettes conducting hunger strikes was stopped in case they became martyrs for their cause. They were released on special licenses but subject to re-arrest. The 'cat' represents police, prison authorities and Home Secretary Reginald McKenna. The 'mouse' is the frail suffragette. The Act ultimately failed in theory and practice because women were nursed back to health and then went into hiding where many continued their protests. Women over the age of 21 were finally granted the vote in Britain in 1928. (Art Collection : Seneca@York, SenecaCollegePress)