"A Canvas of Courage" Exhibition 30 Nov - 10 Dec
An exhibition of work by activist artists from Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand and more is to go on show at London’s Union Chapel. The exhibition, A Canvas of Courage, is a collaboration between Artvocate.co, Amnesty International UK and Union Chapel, and aims to explore powerful expressions of resistance and efforts to promote human rights, while building connections between overseas and diaspora artists.
A 4.5m replica of the Pillar of Shame created by Jens Galschiøt, will be exhibited for the first time in the UK. The copper sculpture commemorates the pro-democracy protesters killed by the Chinese authority during the 4 June 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. Originally exhibited in a Hong Kong university campus, it was removed 2 years ago in an attempt to erase political dissent. Efforts to transport the Pillar back to Europe have been in vain so far.
Artworks from 20 other established activist artists will be shown, including James Earley (prestigious prize winner at The London Biennale), Sai (prominent Burmese artist whose father was seized by the military junta), Wai Hang SIU (Winner of the Hong Kong Human Rights Art Prize 2018) and Armin Armirian (Iranian artist reflecting society and culture through staged photography). The artists demonstrate how human rights violations are a collective experience shared across cultures and geographic boundaries. Together, we strive to extend the reach and impact of activist art, to create dialogues between artists and activists, and to inspire the fight for justice and human rights.
A Canvas of Courage: Bridging the Dividing World through Activist Art
Exhibition opens 30 Nov and runs until 10 Dec
Opening Times: Monday- Saturday 10am – 6pm. Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Opening Event and Private View: 1 Dec 2023, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Discussion Forum: 2 Dec 2023, 2pm - 6pm
The Community Table (partner with Art Refuge): 3 Dec 2023, 12pm - 4pm
Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/a-canvas-of-courage-art-exhibition-2834469
On 2 Dec, there will be a 4-hour Discussion Forum where we will have heart-to-heart discussion with >10 activists and artists from 8 countries to explore the interaction between art and activism in midst of censorship and suppression.
On 3 Dec, in partnership with Art Refuge, The Community Table will be set up.
Participants, from children to adults, will be able to engage, reflect and connect on the theme of “courage” through the use of postcards, drawing, writing and other media, facilitated by our moderators, activists, and artists & art therapists.