The core of the poster is the daffodil-turned-megaphone in the centre. Megaphones are a ubiquitous symbol of protest, and represent how UNISON amplifies the voices of its members. For me, daffodils are a perfect symbol of: Wales, home, spring, and hopeful, new beginnings – which I thought was fitting for a poster commemorating a name change and a new chapter in UNISON Cymru’s history. As well as ‘UNISON Cymru’, I chose the slogan ‘speak as one’. The meaning of the word ‘unison’ is to speak as one, and the purpose of trade unions is to create a community that speaks with one voice. By speaking as one, working people have more power to be heard. A final version of this artwork would be hand-drawn (to scale and with more detail) and then scanned into digital to be refined and to add colour.
I’m Yasmin Warrey, I am a Welsh illustrator, born and raised in South Wales and now a full-time student based in Bristol. I have always been politically conscious and inspired by stories of solidarity and community. One story in particular has always stuck with me: the solidarity between striking miners of Dulais and the queer community (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners) during the Miner’s strike in 1984-85. As someone who is LGBTQ, this idea of marginalised and less powerful groups in society standing by each other obviously hits close to home, and I’m glad that UNISON refuses to be divided by hate and instead stands with its members of all kinds.
Here is a link to my Instagram page displaying some of my work:
https://www.instagram.com/yasmin_warrey?igsh=MTJ5OW5ubnR0MzJ6