Collecting the Revolution: British Engagements with Chinese Cultural Revolution Material Culture

In the late 1960s, student protests erupted worldwide, including in Britain and China. Despite portrayals of Mao's China as a threat to world peace, the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) sparked interest on the counter-cultural left. Britain's interest in China's exports, such as propaganda posters, paintings, and ceramics, led to the collection of these objects, which are now housed in museums, allowing generations to engage with this controversial period of China's history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In the late 1960s, a wave of student protests swept across the globe, giving rise to diverse movements like Britain's anti-Vietnam protestors and China's Red Guards. While these groups exhibited distinct characteristics, they occasionally shared inspirations, aspirations, and aesthetics. In Western popular media, Mao's China was often portrayed as a threat to global peace, yet for certain members of the counter-cultural left, the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) held intriguing ideas worth exploring. Furthermore, Britain's continued colonial possession of Hong Kong made it particularly interested in events in China, leading to a high demand for information. Consequently, the items that China exported, including propaganda posters, paintings, Mao badges, periodicals, ceramics, and more, became vital channels through which China gained international recognition. Interest in these objects transcended political boundaries, captivating individuals from various walks of life.

Collecting the Revolution delves into the narratives of diplomats, journalists, activists, students, and others who encountered Mao's China through its tangible artifacts. It traces the journey of these objects as they were later incorporated into the collections of some of Britain's most renowned museums, ensuring that future generations can continue to engage with one of China's most contentious and significant periods of recent history. By examining the objects themselves, the book offers a unique perspective on the complexities of the Cultural Revolution and its impact on China and the world.

Weight: 463g
Dimension: 237 x 161 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538150672