Connections: Part Two – Hematopolitics

Blood Posters

Inspired by posters designed to both encourage and discourage blood donation across the centuries, members of the museum and wider public have designed our own blood posters. These posters are works of art, portraying the diverse range of relationships between blood, bodies, and identities.

View our gallery to learn more about each poster and its creator.

In the left of the poster is a large red square, upon which is a range of text and images. In the top left corner is an image of two statues holding up a sign which reads ‘Slavery & The Bank’. Underneath this image, it says ‘I sat back, gave blood and saved lives’. Handwritten underneath this is a message which says ‘Lucky you then!’. This is proceeded by another message which is made up of both printed text and handwriting, which reads ‘Do something amazing and don’t give blood. Save a life don’t give blood’. Also within the red square is an illustration of some eyes, from which tears are falling. Handwritten alongside this image is ‘Cry me a river, won’t you!’ ‘Less of your self pity’, ‘Don’t shed tears, why don’t you just give blood? Feelings of rejection run deep!’. Underneath the red square is a graphic which says ‘Save a life, Give blood’. Handwritten alongside this are two messages: ‘Unless you’re queer, prozzie, or junkie’ and ‘it’s hard to be positive when you have a negative lived experience...’. On the right side of the poster is a blood droplet with a message inside that reads ‘Now more people than ever can save lives’. Handwritten annotations surround this droplet. They read ‘but we only wanted normals in the past’, ‘not then, but now’, and ‘so what’s changed?’. A mixture of bold printed text and handwritten text are used in the final portion of the poster, which says ‘I would have given blood and saved lives but they rejected people like me! (Gay = AIDS carriers!!)’.

The background of this poster is made up of abstract squiggles and lines created using a green felt tip pen. On top of this background are printed abstract images of birds, butterflies, and tropical plants. In glittery gold lettering is written ‘Give to Save’.

This blood poster focuses primarily on blood donations within the military. In the top left corner, there is a black and white title which reads 'The army blood transfusion service needs blood donors'. On the right of the image is a soldier depicted within a blood bottle, with the caption 'If he should fall, is your blood there to save him?'. The rest of the poster is filled with pieces of red textured paper in the shapes of blood droplets and abstract shapes. There is also a sticker which reads 'My auntie gave blood today!' alongside a grey heart. — “Blood donors. Heart. The army needs blood.”

On the left-hand side of this poster is a large red hand. This is accompanied by some red shapes which take the form of droplets and love hearts. On the right of the poster is a photograph of a bouquet of yellow roses overlaying two ultrasound scans.

This poster features a range of shapes made out of red paper. Some of these shapes are abstract. They appear to represent blood droplets forming together. There are also three love hearts. At the top of the poster is a black and white graphic of a blood bag with a blood droplet on its packaging. The accompanying text reads ‘Become a blood donor’. There is also a love heart graphic which appears to be filled with a dark substance. Next to the love heart is an equals (=) sign and three people.

The main feature of this poster is a big red square in the centre, upon which is written ‘When will I find the time?’. There are also smaller cutouts on this red square which read ‘Roll up Roll up’, ‘blood donation’, ‘Do something amazing’, and ‘thanks to YOU’. Up the side of the red square is written ‘Admin... admin... admin... Life admin... Booking slot... admin... admin’. There are four different coloured blood droplets on the right side of the image. These are accompanied by the words ‘guilt’, ‘shame’, ‘fear’, and ‘time’.

This poster focuses on the racial dynamics of blood transfusion. On the left of the image is a photograph of a Black man. He is looking down on a cartoon Black family. The caption here reads ‘Some rare blood groups are more common in ethnic communities’. In the middle of the poster reads the message ‘Black donors are urgently needed’, underneath which are two overlapping love hearts in red and orange patterns. On the right of the image is a Black woman, looking up at the message at the top of the page.

This poster features a large red square in its centre. Within this square are several images and pieces of text. On the left, it says ‘Save lives, Give blood’, and ‘I sat back, gave blood and saved lives’. In the middle of the poster is an abstract image featuring a black love heart, some red glittery paper, and some green and red patterned paper. On the right of the poster is a photograph of people sitting alongside a catwalk and the words ‘is needed to save life’.

Some of our blood posters speak specifically to the theme of blood donation. They encourage viewers to consider donating blood using various tropes, images, and messages.

“I love blood, the many meanings of blood. I love horror films and actors of the day such as Bela Lugosi. He was the first ever Dracula. I love the art of blood.”

“I designed my poster with a Victorian audience in mind. Given that the first successful blood transfusion took place in 1818, I tried to envisage what a Victorian blood donation poster might look like. I anticipated that it might take the form of a ballad to be sung in the streets to entice people to donate their blood.”

At the top of the poster read the words ‘Blood Octavo Chorus 1842’. The title is followed by three cutout passages of hymns. These include lyrics such as ‘all that has life and breath, sing to the Lord, Hallelujah’, ‘in distress and deep affliction, in distress, in distress’, and ‘magnify His might and His glory, and let all flesh’. Within these cutouts are printed words including ‘donate’, ‘love’, and ‘give blood’.

“I didn’t plan for the poster to be as political as it turned out. I wanted to do something different than using red and mixed various textures and colours instead. But then I started thinking more about the blood scandal and how certain groups are restricted or denied the opportunity to donate blood and thought justice seemed apt.”

At the centre of this poster, in bold red letters, is the word ‘Justice’. The background of the poster is very busy and is made up of cutouts from multiple magazine images. They all depict nature, including green plants, purple flowers, brown leaves, and grey waters. Several words are placed throughout the poster in bold lettering. These include ‘crisis’, ‘barriers’, ‘legacy’, ‘impact’, ‘colonialism’, ‘class’, and ‘love’.

“The top section of my poster shows the initial message of NHSBT. However, the bottom half shows more of the challenges surrounding donation. My poster highlights how blood donation can be a challenge for many for a variety of reasons.”

“I wanted it to be bright and positive, and knowing anyone can approach, in a safe environment.”

“Giving blood is like a good deed/charity. Anyone can make a positive difference to the world and has something to offer. Why not give blood? It’s a great thing to give blood as it can give the gift of time!”

At the top of this poster, in red and white, reads a message which says ‘Make a world of difference mate’. The word ‘mate’ is in large red letters and falls in the centre of the poster. Directly underneath it is a love heart graphic. The love heart is being held by two hands. On the right of the image reads ‘Give the gift of time’, ‘Save a life. Give blood’, and ‘Be a hero’.

Historically, posters encouraging blood donation have spoken to a variety of issues and audiences. Below are some donation posters dating back to the 1940s. Can you spot any parallels between these posters and the ones designed by us?

The poster depicts a soldier inside a glass blood flask, as polythene blood bags were not used in Britain until the 1970s. The red and green colour scheme is indicative of the importance of blood transfusion and saving lives. The poster states: ‘If he should fall, is your blood there to save him? The Army Blood Transfusion Service Needs Blood Donors’. — 513003: ‘Army Blood Transfusion Service poster’, 1940 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-513003

A3 size blood donation advertising poster, featuring a man walking down a road. The inscription reads: On the road to recovery, thanks to you blood donor, emergency blood transfusion service, issued by the Ministry of Health. — 647.001: ‘Emergency Blood Transfusion Service poster’ https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-647-001

Poster shows a football crowd with one red-faced supporter jumping up, shouting and waving his rattle. Above this is: HE CAN SPARE A LITTLE BLOOD ! and below WILL YOU ? On a red band in white lettering is BLOOD DONORS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED and below that NATIONAL BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE In the bottom margin in tiny lettering is: Issued by the Ministry of Health Printed for H.M. Stationery office by Sanders Phillips & Co. Ltd. Wt. No.35625 N.B.T.S. 1008 [all in same line]. — 513007: National Blood Transfusion Service poster: ‘He can spare a little Blood! Will you?’ by Allan Carter c.1945 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-513007

Advertising A3 size poster, which reads: 'Feeling in the Pink? then spare a little blood, blood donors are urgently needed'. There is an illustration of a woman in the middle of the poster. Her cheeks are flushed pink, and she is smiling at the viewer. — 513015: National Blood Transfusion Service poster: ‘Feeling in the Pink?’, 1957 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-513015

Advertising A3 size poster which reads: ‘Be A Blood Donor, Like Jimmy Edwards’. There is a photograph of Jimmy Edwards having a cup of tea and a nurse standing next to him is smiling and holding a bottle of liquid. The inscription reads: ‘A pint – I'd just as soon give one as down one! But seriously, giving blood doesn’t hurt (not a quiver of the old moustache) and it only takes ten minutes, with another twenty for a rest with a cup of char. The blood’s soon made up again – I'm in whacking form!’. — 513018: ‘Jimmy Edwards blood donor poster’ https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-513018

Advertising A3 size poster, which reads 'Off on Holiday? If You're Asked to Give Blood Before You Go - Please Do, Blood Donors Save Lives'. In the middle of the text is an illustration of some sunglasses and a holiday brochure. — 513016: ‘Off on Holiday’ blood donation poster https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-513016

Advertising A1 size colour poster which reads ‘Help to Save a Life’. There is a picture of a baby wrapped in a blanket. The bottom text reads: KEIGHLEY & DISTRICT BLOOD DONOR CAMPAIGN, ENROL AS A BLOOD DONOR, MONDAY 1st SEPTEMBER TO SATURDAY 13th SEPTEMBER, THIS FINE SERVICE NEEDS YOUR HELP, ENROL TODAY. — 647.004: Ministry of Health, ‘Help to Save a Life poster’ https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-647-004

Advertising A3 size colour poster depicting Sue Barker playing tennis. The inscription reads ‘Now I've given blood I'll do it again, even when playing tennis. A blood collecting session will be held in Holy Cross Church Hall, The Mount, Airedale, on Tuesday 24th February, from 2-30 to 4-30pm and 5-30 to 7-30pm, blood donors are needed now’. — 647.003: ‘NHS Sue Barker blood donation poster’, 1980 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-647-003

2024.0094: ‘NHS Blood and Transplant FAIR Changes rainbow flag poster’, 2021 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-2024-0094

2024.0095: ‘NHS Blood and Transplant on behalf of the MOD blood poster’, 2020-2023 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-2024-0095

2024.0096: ‘NHS Blood and Transplant on behalf of the MOD blood poster’, 2019 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-2024-0096

2024.0093: ‘NHS Blood and Transplant FAIR Changes Black African heritage poster’, 2022 https://collections.thackraymuseum.co.uk/object-2024-0093

The NHS Blood and Transplant FAIR Changes policy introduced changes to people’s eligibility to donate blood based on their health, travel, and sexual behaviour. The exclusionary measures previously associated with blood donation and transfusion often led to feelings of resentment, anger, and vulnerability. Some of our posters reflect these emotions and address the changing attitudes towards different donor groups.

“When creating my poster, I really wanted to emphasise different people donating blood. There is no stock image of a donor, providing anyone can donate and fits the criteria, then they can become a blood donor. I also wanted to highlight the positive attitude that people had surrounding blood donation by selecting people who are smiling and look joyful. Whilst I am aware that not everyone can donate, and in some cases, people are turned away from donation centres for a variety of reasons, I emphasised that those who can, should try.”

This poster focuses on the theme of racial difference and blood donation. There are four images on the page, each depicting people of varying ethnic backgrounds in the process of donating blood. The title at the top of the poster reads ‘Anyone could need a transfusion’. To the left of this title is a graphic of a blood bag. On the left side of the poster reads the message ‘Save a life, give blood’. At the bottom of the poster is another message which reads ‘Everyone should try and donate’.

“There’s not been a point in my life where I have been able to give blood, for a few reasons. I was excited knowing that they’d changed the laws about gay and bisexual men giving blood thinking I might finally be able to, only to discover that the way I access hormone replacement therapy as a trans man means that I can’t. It made me feel angry, not because I think it’s not a legitimate reason, but because if I was able to access treatment through the NHS I would be able to donate. More often than not I feel more connected to society and to other people because of my queerness, but in this case it’s the opposite.”

This poster has a broken border around its edge made up of pieces of dark blue and purple paper. There are four purple blood droplets making their way down the image. In the middle of the poster, the text reads, ‘Too queer to be a blood donor (but I would love to)’.

“My poster represents the feelings of rejection people may feel when they are seen as having ‘bad blood’. It comes from my own history of blood cancer (lymphoma), which means that I am unable to give blood. I wanted to take the typography and colours of NHSBT promotional materials and subvert their positive message by making them say ‘bad blood’ instead.”

At the top of this poster read the words ‘blood cancer?’. The word ‘cancer’ overlays the top portion of the image, which depicts an anatomical mannequin and a broken love heart over the top of an LED light display where all the lights are intertwined and knotted together. Within this light display are the words ‘bad blood’. At the bottom of the image is a message which reads ‘we don’t want you’.

This poster is predominantly made up of black and white images and text. The top of the poster says ‘Every minute, the NHS needs 3 lifesaving blood donations’. Underneath this text are two images. On the left is a cartoon graphic of a pram, upon which is imprinted the number ‘245’. The accompanying caption reads ‘245 babies a year are born with sickle cell’. Underneath this text, it says ‘If you’re the giving type, book now’. On the right is a picture of a blood bag which reads ‘Whole blood’. Underneath this image of a blood bag is a graphic of a love heart flowing with blood. To its right is an equals (=) sign, followed by three human figures. The accompanying caption reads ‘Some rare blood groups are more common in ethnic communities’. The final image at the bottom left of the screen represents a Black family of four, who are smiling and waving at the viewer.

The top half of this poster features a cartoon illustration of a hand holding a stress ball, presumably to demonstrate a person giving blood. The text that accompanies this graphic reads ‘#Give Blood’. At the very top of the poster, above this illustration, is a title which reads ‘Be a Hero’. Underneath the graphic is a message which reads ‘Every minute, the NHS needs 3 lifesaving blood donations. Anyone could need blood’. To the right of this message are cutouts of red blood drops, each of which features a blood type.

At the top of the poster is a piece of red paper, upon which is written ‘Anyone could need blood’. In the centre of the poster is a grey love heart with a blood drop falling from it. At either side of this heart are two smaller red hearts. Underneath the heart is written ‘if you can, give blood for your community’.

The central aspect of this poster is an illustration of a butterfly, within which are four glitter love hearts and four glitter blood droplets. Above the butterfly, cutout text has been used from magazines to spell out ‘Transform a Life’. At the top of the poster is a small graphic which reads ‘#Give blood’.

At the top of the image is a photo of two stocking-shaped blood bags alongside the caption ‘Give the best gift this winter. Give blood’. On the left of the poster is a cutout from a magazine showing people sitting alongside a catwalk with the word ‘hidden’ above them. Further down the poster are cutouts of a red love heart and blood droplets. There is a blood droplet with text inside which reads ‘Now more people than ever can save lives’. At the bottom of the poster is a notice which reads ‘Do something amazing. Give blood’.

At the top of the poster are two love hearts which are facing slightly inwards, each of which has a blood droplet hanging from the bottom of it. There is a red square in the middle of the poster upon which is written ‘Count me in’. The red square is being held aloft by four cartoon figures. Underneath the figures is written ‘Giving blood is one way we can look after each other’.

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