Yesterday, the artist-run collective For Freedoms launched a series of London-based public art activations in partnership with Avant Arte. The collaboration represents the first appearance of For Freedoms’ billboards outside of the US, as well as the first time artworks from their campaigns will be released in edition form.

Avant Arte and For Freedoms share an ambition to make art more readily accessible to the public, both online and offline, and seek to instigate far-reaching conversations about the place of art in society. Christine Wong Yap and Hank Willis Thomas — two artists with overtly collaborative, socially-engaged practices — will each pose an emotive question to Londoners, as well as to a global online community of art lovers: “Who taught you how to love?” and “How do you keep your heart open?” Mazdak Sanii, Avant Arte co-founder, said “We’re really excited for the launch of this collaboration with For Freedoms and two incredible artists to help broaden that impact, putting thought-provoking pieces directly into people’s paths.”

Artist Christine Wong said, “for me, the project is a prompt, a provocation, and I’m really excited about seeing the artwork take space in billboards and posters in the UK. I hope people see it, think about it, and actually engage in some self-reflection.”

Hank Willis Thomas, artist and For Freedoms Co-Founder, said, “we believe that art is a tool for social change and inner meditation. As For Freedoms continues to evolve as a collective entity, and through this collaboration with Avant Arte on our first print editions and first activation in Europe, we hope to be working towards an expanding mission outside of the US.”
Collectors will be able to acquire the accompanying editions based on For Freedoms’ emblematic billboard designs on 29 September via the platform.

London – Opening Today
From 27 September, Yap and Thomas will ask passerbys to reflect on love and their connections to others in a campaign covering east, south and central London — including billboards, takeovers, a flyposting campaign and a 24-hour takeover of W1 Curate’s array of digital screens at 167 Oxford Street.

An interactive map will be shared, allowing both Avant Arte and For Freedoms’ expansive online communities to locate and engage with the artworks in real life. All placements will include links and QR codes directing to the digital elements of the activation.

The digital installation at W1 Curates on Oxford Street will run for 24 hours on 27 September. Billboards, takeovers and fly-posting will run for 2 weeks from the same date.