Art by Matt Bonner
Art by Lindsay Grime
Art by Michelle Tylicki
What is subvertising? Broadly, it is the art of making spoof advertisements from corporate and political actors with the aim of making the public think of the damage caused by those actors. The term was coined in 1991 by the cultural critic Mark Dery, and is a portmanteau of the words subvert and advertising.
Subvertising can take place physically on our high streets, with billboards hi-jacked to give an alternative message. They can also appear digitally as memes and spoof political slogans.
Art by Eloise
Art by Yasemine Akyuz
When we the public are constantly bombarded by corporate and political advertising (most of which are dubious, think greenwashing), we are not only being forced to look but forced to accept a reality. Subvertising uses the same techniques but presents us with an alternative viewpoint. We are no longer being brainwashed, but given a choice.
Mostly the targets are actors with a high carbon footprint – car makers, airlines, oil and gas companies – who would have us believe they are greener than grass while committing to hollow targets of net zero by the year 2050. Too late. We need action now, not in 2030, not 2040 and certainly not 2050. Other targets are political parties, along with advertising companies employed to make corporate publicity.
Art by Matt Manson
Art by Soofiya
Art by Paul Insect
Subvertising organisations such as Brandalism, state: “We revolt against the corporate control of our culture and space. We are an international collective of artists and activists that confront the power of big business and their public relations advertising. Intervening into ad spaces that usually celebrate consumption, Brandalism use ‘subvertising’ as a lens through which we can view the social and environmental justice issues created by late stage capitalism.”
Adbusters claim: “We’re a global collective of writers, artists, designers, musicians, poets, philosophers and punks. Since 1989 we’ve been smashing ads, fighting corruption and speaking truth to power. We’re trying to forge a new way of living, create a whole new cultural vibe to escape the capitalist paradigm and halt humanity’s slide into a 10,000-year dark age.”
Art by Noel Douglas
Art by Noel Douglas
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- Art by Soofiya
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- Art by Darren Cullen
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- Art by Yasmin Akyuz
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- Art by Judy Woo
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- Art by Simon Warren
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- Art by Simon Warren
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- Art by Noel douglas
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- Art by Matt Bonner
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- Spelling Mistakes cost lives
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- Art by Michelle Tylicki
Barclays AGM Installation
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- Art by Fokawolf
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- Art by Hogre
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- Art by Hogre and Matt Bonner
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- Anarchxart Just Transition
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- Shell BP Brandalism
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- Art by Paul Insect
Bristol Rising Tide – Too many Billboards
All images from: Brandalism.
Interesting article from: The Guardian
As always, thanks for looking (twice) ✌☮🕊
Ford, TVTA.
The Vintage Toy Advertiser 
These are amazing! So, so clever and, yes, you have to look twice! Thanks for this read. Heading to the Guardian right now!
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Glad you liked it, J 😊
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Like the other responders here, I can’t say I’ve seen any in the Glasgow are either. Good idea, mind. 🙂
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Thanks 70s. Their recent airline blitz took in 500 ad sites across London, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield and Brighton, and 11 other European cities. Past campaigns have been held in Aberdeen, but not Glasgow (yet) as far as I know.
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Great topic, never seen any of these kinds of adverts before, but its clear there is a lot of thought go into making them stand out.
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Thanks Paul. It’s good we have talented creators out there who can spread this kind of alternative message and make us consider the big harmers of our planet.
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Hi TVTA. I too haven’t seen any , fascinating topic. Thank you for making me aware, I will enjoy researching it further
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Hi N. Thanks. Their recent airline blitz took in 500 ad sites across London, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield and Brighton, and 11 other European cities. I hope to one day see one with my own eyes. I think the act of protesting in this way will only increase, and I’m pleased to spread the word here. Thanks for stopping by!
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Hi TVTA. I can’t say I have seen many of these type of adverts in my area (but then I don’t go out much) however by the looks of these pics you post they are very slick and have some clever people producing them.
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Hi FT. Indeed, the artists and teams making these are talented and well tuned-in to the problems we face. Their recent airline blitz took in 500 ad sites across London, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield and Brighton, and 11 other European cities. I hope to one day see one with my own eyes. I think the act of protesting in this way will only increase, and I’m pleased to spread the word here.
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