Paper-thin candidates
A tongue-in-cheek look at the some of the sabbatical candidates’ campaign posters
Whilst these candidates are not running on the basis of their artistic merit, their posters are designed to give us a glimpse of the ‘innovative’ people we are electing to run our student union.
The Presidential candidates certainly embody the phrase ‘mixed bag.’ The top posters will have a presence (employed by comedy preferably) that will ensure voters remember to vote for them above any other. Abir Ahmmed, comical with his NASA space shuttle device, it is heavy in phallic imagery, sure to stop passers-by for a hoot. But James Carney’s Google search bar makes those of us who still remain sane want to try another search engine, in the hope they won’t be spammed with more of his uninspiring campaign posters. Tom Taylor’s artistic skills are impressively unamusing, letting down his “satirical” campaign. Zahra Latif’s green hat on a teapot is endearing; conveying a clean, motherly image, made approachable to the student body. Not personally to my taste, the Peter Warner Medley poster does make use of memory devices in the bold rhetoric ‘What do you think YUSU’s missing’ and the short, but memorable phrase ‘pwm4 pres.’ Equally, Hernando’s bland poster arguably demonstrates his political credentials – and his lack of flair.
‘H&M’ is undoubtedly the primary offender. Helen Marrison fails to inspire confidence in her plans for the student body as Activities Officer by associating herself with a high-street brand, that screams ‘lack of imagination,’ although it must be said that the practicality of her poster (showcasing her policies) off-sets this. Comparatively, Chris West’s poster is comprehensive; including detailed policies, which are not too text-heavy, complemented by splashes of block colour. West’s poster is eye-catching, employing the simple slogan “Go West.” Brearley’s pared back poster lacks aesthetic punch in comparison, but clearly advertises her policies and strengths.
What Dong-Oh Shin lacks in subtle puns, Charlotte Winter achieves with her witty slogan “Have winter all year round.” If you’re not put off by Shin’s lunatic expression, his poster is the most appropriate to what he is running for as Sports president – Shin will certainly make the voters remember his campaign. Having said this, Winter has clearly not underestimated the power of the male vote. It must be said, that Winter has been significantly less successful than her opponent in conveying her interest in the role of Sports President, but seems rather more concerned with her image as a pretty pin-up girl.
Eppie Leishman’s bid for Academic Officer is complemented by the squeaky clean image on her poster. Her inclusion of her policies, especially the use of the phrase, ‘I promise,’ implies honesty and reliability. Using the same poster he campaigned with last year, if voters aren’t put off by his shameless recycling, they would be by Graeme Osborn’s putrid green traffic light.
Bob Hughes, running to be re-elected as Welfare Officer, employed the gimmick of our childhood builder friend, Bob. It was Bob (the real one) who scored the points with us by including some of his main policies sewn into the building metaphor; showing some artistic flair. As Hughes’s contender, Lewis Haines’ colourful campaign poster; with the York campus and lake in the background, demonstrates his close commitment to helping its students. In a similar vein, Wigley’s is inoffensively unassuming; perfect for welfare.
When all is said and done however, if Carlsberg did campaign posters…they certainly would not be like the majority of this bunch.
Article amended after requested changes
8 responses below. Comments are open.
Leave a Reply
Mary O'Connor
Arts Editor
Most Read Commented
- Vanbrugh thirds scrape past James in entertaining affair
- How to land a grad job: banking (Goldman Sachs)
- James score eight in demolition of Wentworth
- Alcuin edge out Halifax fourths in close encounter
- Concern over international academic misconduct cases
- A Happy Mundy for Halifax firsts as they defeat Goodricke
Polls
Loading ...
I thought “tounge-in-cheek” articles were supposed to be funny? I didn’t laugh once and most of it’s plain offensive.
So much fail in this article. Firstly its not particularly funny. Two, it is downright offensive to Charlotte Winter. Three, there is not even a pretense of impartiality:
“Hernando’s bland poster arguably demonstrates his political credentials – and his lack of flair.”
How this even remotely justified? Decent criticism of candidates is good. Unsubstantiated opinion is not.
On a positive note, great to see coverage of the elections by Nouse.
Usually I’m a big fan of the stuff that Nouse produces but I don’t get the point of this article. The wording is terrible and furthermore to that you have plainly insulted Charlotte Winter with no grounds or justification at all. Where has CW portrayed herself as a ‘pretty pin up girl’? No idea where that has come from! Pretty sure the tag if this went on Twitter would be #neededsomethingtofilltheelectionleaflet!
Surely you’re all missing the point? The best and most innovative campaign has got to be ‘Vish the Fish’!
tinyurl.com/vishthefish
facebook.com/votevishthefish
both amazing…
totally agree with jason, saw the silver fish walking round campus earlier, unbelievable!!!
Quite frankly instead of insulting female candidates in the easiest and lowest possible way (slut connotations of “Winter has clearly not underestimated the power of the male vote. Winter is sure to have ingratiated herself with the male sportsmen”) maybe you should spend more time working on the standard and accuracy in the content of your articles so maybe one day you will be as strong and successful at what you do in the same upstanding way as Charlotte Winter.
An article which begins stating that it is ‘tongue-in-cheek’ is clearly aware of its status, teetering on the edge of abusive. It may be intended to be a light hearted satirical commentary but has resulted in being low blows concerning aspects which are fabricated and quite frankly crude. If Miss Winter knows her audience, getting her ‘pretty pin-up’ face around campus she is confirming the role as one which require recognition and the invitation for interaction. This article require a bucket load of salt, leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
Some great comments in response to this rather poor excuse for a piece of journalism. All there is to add is that I find it offensive and frankly sad that a female candidate might only win an election because of a “pretty pin-up face” and her crudely described courting of the male vote.
I dare you to say any of these comments to any of the candidates’ faces.