Peace [2] | 1969

Peace, 1969, by Thomas W. Benton (1930–2007)

This bold, minimalist poster features a large red peace symbol dominating the upper portion of the composition, set against a stark black background. Below it, a white dove in flight creates a strong visual contrast, reinforcing the theme of peace and nonviolence. The word "peace" appears in lowercase red letters in the lower right, blending seamlessly with the overall colour scheme.

Created during the height of the Vietnam War protests in the late 1960s, Benton's Peace poster reflects the anti-war sentiment that defined much of the era’s political activism. The peace symbol, originally designed in 1958 for the British nuclear disarmament movement, had become a global emblem by the 1960s, especially in the United States. 

Thomas W. Benton was an American artist and activist, closely associated with the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Based in Aspen, Colorado, he collaborated with journalist and writer Hunter S. Thompson, designing campaign materials for Thompson’s 1970 "Freak Power" bid for sheriff. Benton's work is characterised by its sharp graphic style, bold typography, and politically engaged themes.