16
Making protest
Each object here carries a specific message of resistance but they were all designed to open our minds and encourage us to campaign for change.
Adding political messages to objects from daily life can be an effective protest technique. Artist Sofia Karim created these samosa packets, a type of disposable food packaging used across South Asia, in collaboration with activists to witness the struggles they are part of. Protestors also use their clothing to express solidarity, like the women’s suffrage campaigner who wore this silk scarf.
Written by: Georgia Haseldine, Senior Curator of V&A East Storehouse
Published: May 2025
Sourcebook for Design
- Museum Number
- E.487-2013
- Title/Description
- Changing Picture of Docklands
- Artist/Maker
- Docklands Community Poster Project
- Location
- London
- Date
- ca. 1985
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Laminated plastic, Printing
- Museum Number
- C.20-1951
- Title/Description
- Punch bowl
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Jingdezhen
- Date
- 1770-75
- Materials/Techniques
- Porcelain, Painted, Glazed
- Museum Number
- ME.15:6-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2021
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:11-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2020
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:13-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2020
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:15-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2021
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:16-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2021
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:17-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2021
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:18-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2021
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- ME.15:19-2022
- Title/Description
- Samosa packet
- Artist/Maker
- Sofia Karim
- Date
- 2021
- Materials/Techniques
- Printed paper
- Museum Number
- T.20-1946
- Title/Description
- Scarf
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Britain
- Date
- ca. 1910
- Materials/Techniques
- Silk (textile), Weaving, Satin weave, Roller printing
- Museum Number
- T.601-1997
- Title/Description
- Hackney Lesbian Strength and Gay Pride 1993
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Hackney
- Date
- 1993
- Materials/Techniques
- Cotton, Printing