Posterwar supports Ukraine with a downloadable archive of 80 posters and counting

Milan-based graphic designer Sreenihal Pouka has launched a poster project in support of Ukraine. As it stands today (21 June), the Posterwar archive features 82 posters from countries across the world – Sreenihal counts submissions from: Ukraine, Italy, Finland, Portugal, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Bulgaria, India, Brazil, Colombia, Iceland, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and the US. But this extensive selection looks likely to expand quickly, with the campaign also allowing visitors to submit their artwork directly to the site (after downloading the correct templates). What’s more, Posterwar lets anyone download their preferred poster – or posters – to publicly display their support of Ukraine, either online or in person.

So far, within the archive, you can find work ranging from the likes of: Anite Pi, An Chen, Judit Zengővári, Hyojin Hwang, Polina Khrystoieva, Marina Nichiporchuk, Katerina Korolevtseva, José Villamayor Yuliia Matsveiko, Laura Pajuodyte, Liliya Galayda, Liliya Nebera, and Quentin Dudignac.

On why Posterwar began, Sreenihal explains: “I truly believe that art does have the power to empower the people.” Particularly when, as the designer points out, “many are still unaware about the reality of what is happening in Ukraine.” While the war continues, Sreenihal says that slowly the media stops showcasing much information about previous events during the invasion. The project aims to share information about ongoing developments in Ukraine, keep awareness aimed towards the issue and share public support as widely as possible.

Posterwar offers options to download artwork at four different formats: print, web, Instagram posts and stories. “This way if someone feels like printing the posters and sticking it outside their balcony windows or at their studio they can simply print them,” adds the designer. As a testament to this approach, Posterwar has already organised two exhibitions with the archive, one in Milan and one in Berlin with Echo Posters, projecting posters on city buildings.

Talking us through some of the submissions so far, Sreenihal highlights the range in the archive, with artists responding with humorous submissions, like Lithuanian-based artist Meda Dargytė alongside more emotive works, like one from type designer Shrishti Vajpai. Sreenihal also shares a quote from Ukrainian artist and contributor Katerina Korolevtseva: “This poster was created on the fourth day of the war while I was hiding in the basement under my house with a lot of other people. It’s my appreciation to the brave Armed Forces of Ukraine because they defend our country and the whole of Europe.”

Head to the site now to download a poster. With each download, Posterwar recommends donating the cost of a cup of coffee, with the donated amount transferred to a Ukrainian helpline service.