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Careless Talk Costs Lives
Fougasse, born 1887 - died 1965 - Enlarge image
Careless Talk Costs Lives; Be careful what you say and where you say it!
- Object:
Poster
- Place of origin:
United Kingdom (made)
- Date:
1940 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Fougasse, born 1887 - died 1965 (artist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Colour lithograph
- Credit Line:
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
- Museum number:
E.1559-2004
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case 1B, box LS3
Fougasse, whose real name was Kenneth Cyril Bird, believed that the viewer's own contribution to understanding the joke was the key to remembering and acting on the poster's message. He deliberately used bright colours and simple forms to attract attention, and then forced the viewer to engage with the image and enjoy the joke by coming close enough to see the detail and read the small lettering of the caption. His graphic wit used ordinary everyday situations to warn against the dangers of indiscretion in public places, particularly during unguarded intimate conversations.
