Anniversary Print: From the People Who Brought You Thalidomide... thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case MB2G, Shelf DR56, Box MP323

Anniversary Print: From the People Who Brought You Thalidomide...

Print
1978 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Conrad Atkinson's work frequently reflects the manipulation and abuse of ordinary working people by those in positions of power. The drug Thalidomide was responsible for the irreversible deformity of limbs and organs in unborn babies conceived between 1959 and 1961. Almost 20 years later some victims were still fighting for compensation from the manufacturers, The Distillers Company, whose profits were soaring. The Company possessed a royal warrant, which meant it could display a coat of arms on its products that advertised the fact that the royal family patronised it. The Queen Mother was Chancellor of University College, London. Atkinson was commissioned to produce a print for a portfolio to be presented to her on the occasion of the College's 150th Anniversary. He took this as an opportunity to expose the behaviour of the Company.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAnniversary Print: From the People Who Brought You Thalidomide... (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour offset lithograph on paper, with hand colouring
Brief description
Anniversary Print. A children's story; for H.M. by Conrad Atkinson. Colour offset lithograph with additional colouring by hand. 1978
Physical description
colour offset lithographic print on paper, with additional colouring by hand
Dimensions
  • Printed surface height: 53.5cm
  • Printed surface width: 43.5cm
  • Sheet height: 65.1cm
  • Sheet width: 49.5cm
Styles
Production typeLimited edition
Copy number
46/50
Marks and inscriptions
  • Conrad Atkinson (1) Signature; pencil)
  • April '78 (Date; pencil)
Production
The print was commissioned by the Slade School of art for an portfolio celebrating the 150th anniversary of University College, London, and to be presented to its then chancellor HRH The Queen Mother.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Conrad Atkinson's work frequently reflects the manipulation and abuse of ordinary working people by those in positions of power. The drug Thalidomide was responsible for the irreversible deformity of limbs and organs in unborn babies conceived between 1959 and 1961. Almost 20 years later some victims were still fighting for compensation from the manufacturers, The Distillers Company, whose profits were soaring. The Company possessed a royal warrant, which meant it could display a coat of arms on its products that advertised the fact that the royal family patronised it. The Queen Mother was Chancellor of University College, London. Atkinson was commissioned to produce a print for a portfolio to be presented to her on the occasion of the College's 150th Anniversary. He took this as an opportunity to expose the behaviour of the Company.
Bibliographic reference
Timmers, Margaret (ed), Impressions of the Twentieth Century: Fine Art Prints from the V&A's Collection, London, V&A Publications, 2001
Collection
Accession number
E.1223-1979

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Record createdDecember 5, 2002
Record URL
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