Target: Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of UK House of Commons
Goal: Protect artistic expression that serves as tool of protest.
Art disruption has become a powerful tool for dissent and protest. In the United Kingdom (UK), a moving public art project known as The Herds brought awareness to the plight of displaced animals. During these demonstrations, life-sized puppet animals that represented wildlife impacted by the climate crisis were marched through the streets of London. Similar projects around the world (like the Jaguar Parade) have likewise brought attention to environmental and animal conservation throughout the years. But recent actions taken against an anonymous street protest artist endanger this important form of expression.
Banksy, a graffiti artist believed to be based in England, has gained acclaim and ire for decades because of controversial artwork that mysteriously appears on walls, bridges, streets, and self-built structures. The artist’s works have made commentary on politically charged issues like global warming, church sex abuse scandals, detainment camps, corrupt politicians, military occupations, and suppression of protesters. The latest work appears to fall in the latter camp, as it seemingly depicts a judge beating a protester bloody with a gavel. Ironically, the artwork itself was subject to suppression when it was abruptly covered up and concealed from public view. Other works in the past have similarly been painted over or defaced.
Sign the petition below to urge UK leaders to enact stronger protections for art as an enduring form of protest and self-expression.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Sir Hoyle,
Street art and other forms of disruptive art are gaining more prominence and esteem in the art world and in social activism alike. Pieces once dismissed as vandalism have been recognized for their merits. The artist Banksy is perhaps the highest profile example of this shift. Current and past attempts to destroy or dismantle his artwork reflect a more troubling trend: the suppression of acts and works of protest because said protests make some uncomfortable.
Contemporary UK laws have worked to distinguish vandalism from sincere artistic efforts, which is why graffiti has found increasing acceptance. Please continue strengthening legal protections for protest art that has the power to inspire and move millions across the UK and around the world. Safe and harmless self-expression should never be silenced.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: ZaBanker
