Develop cultural entertainment activities for the masses, develop socialist art and literature

Artist: Central Arts & Crafts Fine Art School Teachers & Students Collective

Year: 1958

Publisher: Tianjin Fine Art Publishing House

Size (mm): 532x769

Condition: Good, creasing, creasing to margins, small tears to margins, pinholes on top margin, two repairs on rear to tears on bottom corners, no loss

During the early days of the Great Leap Forward the population was involved nationwide in campaigns to increase production and huge construction projects. Scientists were expected to contribute by setting up research units which would compete to increase crop yields, and in the sector of education thousands of hong zhuan (red and expert) schools and universities were founded practically overnight - with teachers instantly promoted to the rank of college professor. In the field of culture, countless folk song clubs were organised along with rural artistic creation committees. Members would write scores of poems and compose songs extolling the virtue of the commune system, competing to see which team could pen the most. Many famous writers and artists took part, including one of China's most famous literary icons, Guo Moruo (1892-1978).

The central character in this poster, possibly performing a traditional ribbon dance, is depicted surrounded by line drawings representing all manner of artistic public performances - from Chinese opera to choir singing.