Rossi, Guglielmo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7850-6904 (2024) The Claimants Union. In: Design History Society: Objects in Distress - Virtual Seminar Series, 6th - 20th Jun 2024, Online. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This presentation investigates the role of images as part of the Claimants Union movement, and the groups active in Britain between the early 1970s and the late 1980s in particular. Crucially, the Union of Claimants was formed by the poor – a group of people difficult to define, whose history is recorded in political and social history books – but whose rich material and visual culture – primarily visible through the publishing production and literature created by groups in different cities, remain largely overlooked by histories of design. This presentation wishes to look at the political and social significance of poverty, which is central to the Claimants Union movement, how the Union of Claimants created a space for disadvantaged communities to form solidarity – joining together for collective action with the aim of helping disadvantaged people to access Social Security Benefits. Crucially, this collective endeavour prompted the writing, design, and publishing of a series of pamphlets. Often featured in these publications, are the multiple interpretations, reproductions and subversions of the Royal coat of arms – contributing to the creation of forms of representations for the community groups at the centre of the movement: unsupported mothers, the sick, disabled and pensioners. To be part of the Claimants Union, a member had to claim Social Security. The Union had no federal structure or headquarters, each group was autonomous, but many features were common to different groups across the country. The Claimants Union therefore becomes a catalyst which brings together community groups affected by different forms of oppression – around the need to access the Welfare system. Using illustrations and publishing, to confront oppression, the Union created solidarity networks, support groups, and literature about tactics to access Social Security and to organised collective action.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Other)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Radical Publishing, social movements history, political organising
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JA Political science (General) T Technology > TR Photography
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Design (DES)
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2025 12:55
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/49908

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