Keep a Guard on What You Say
A hand-painted replica of Abram Games’s masterpiece Keep a Guard on What You Say, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.
"Keep a Guard on What You Say" is a propaganda poster designed by British graphic artist Abram Games during World War II. Created in 1941, the poster was part of a broader campaign by the British government to promote caution and discretion among citizens and military personnel regarding sensitive information. The slogan "Keep a Guard on What You Say" reflects the wartime emphasis on maintaining secrecy to prevent valuable intelligence from reaching enemy forces.
Abram Games, known for his minimalist and impactful design style, was appointed as an official war artist for the British government during the war. His work often combined striking visuals with concise messaging to effectively communicate important ideas. In this particular poster, Games employed a bold and symbolic design to convey the dangers of careless talk. The image features a sentry figure, visually representing the need for vigilance, alongside the warning text. The simplicity of the composition ensured that the message was easily understood by a wide audience.
The poster was part of the "Careless Talk Costs Lives" campaign, which aimed to remind the public of the potential consequences of sharing sensitive information, even inadvertently. This campaign was critical during a time when espionage and intelligence-gathering posed significant threats to national security. The British government distributed such posters widely, placing them in public spaces, workplaces, and military installations to reinforce the importance of discretion.
Games' work on this and other wartime posters earned him recognition for his ability to distill complex ideas into visually compelling and memorable designs. His contributions to British propaganda efforts during World War II remain a significant part of his artistic legacy. Today, "Keep a Guard on What You Say" is regarded as an example of effective wartime communication and is studied for its historical and artistic significance.
The original artwork and other wartime posters by Abram Games are preserved in collections such as the Imperial War Museum in London, where they continue to be appreciated for their historical context and design excellence.
