art as activism How the LiberationArts festival is creating change for animals LiberationArts is an organisation on a mission to create
impact of their dietary and lifestyle choices.“We believe
change for animals through the medium of art. After its
that art is such a special form of activism, because it can get
successful Behind Closed Doors exhibition in London in
away with being quite hardhitting whilst also allowing a
2017, it's taking things up a notch with a 3day vegan
safe environment for people to contemplate,” says founder
festival. This time, it will be held in the vegan hub of
Aisha Eveleigh.
Bristol in the south west of England, from February 9th to the 11th 2019. The venue is Paintworks, a former industrial site converted into an impressive event space. Pieces by a range of vegan artists in a variety of media will be present on all 3 days. Days 1 and 3 will feature screenings of vegan films. Day 2 will be packed with activities workshops where visitors can make their own veganthemed badges and tote bags, talks by vegan advocates from all walks of life, and stalls selling everything from vegan food to clothes to artwork. Local animal rights charities and activist groups will also have stalls with information about what they do.
Aisha Eveleigh A key feature of the festival is that it's supposed to be fun!
For founder Aisha Eveleigh, art has always been a form of
Many forms of activism, such as demos, can put non
activism. An artist herself, her own work is all focused on
vegans on the defensive. But the festival will expose
vegan issues whether it relates to animal rights, the
visitors to new information in a way that is both non
environment, health or human rights. She makes ceramics
threatening and engaging.
and textiles with hardhitting messages. Best of all, entry to the event will be free to convince as Though the LiberationArts festival is themed around animal
many people as possible to come along!
rights, vegans are not necessarily the target audience. The LiberationArts team hopes to attract nonvegans to the event, with the aim of encouraging them to consider the
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Visit the LiberationArts website for the lineup and more information. SM
