8 June 2011

Some of New Zealand’s best street artists are coming together this week to celebrate Amnesty International’s 50 Birthday and raise awareness about freedom of expression.

The Art of Freedom- Taking it back to the streets features a live street art event with some of the biggest names on the New Zealand street art scene including Pest5 (...Disruptiv collective) and Simon Ormerod (Cracked Ink).

This Thursday St Kevin’s Arcade on Karangahape Road will be filled with activists celebrating their freedom of expression, including live painters and street art enthusiasts, all standing up for human rights.

The painting will start at 11am and by the end there will be finished masterpieces which will later be sold through a Trademe auction.

“Amnesty chose to use street art to celebrate our 50th Birthday because street art commonly points out the flaws in society and often demands change for the better. Amnesty International has been fighting against injustice for half a century and much of our campaigning features street protest and ordinary individuals campaigning for extraordinary change", says Rachael Buchanan, Amnesty International New Zealand's Events Intern.

The work from the live painters and other well-known street artists including ATom1746, DRYPNZ, NQR, Cracked Ink, James R Ford and Oi You!, have generously donated pieces to Amnesty for the birthday celebration. All the artwork will be showcased in an exclusive one night exhibition at Te Karanga Gallery on June 16th.

The pieces will be available for auction on Trademe from the 10th to the 19th of June where art enthusiasts and human rights supporters from around the country can bid for their very own piece of New Zealand street art.

This year Amnesty International celebrates 50 years of human rights defending. For 50 years Amnesty International, now an international movement of more than 3 million people, has borne witness to abuses and atrocities, has offered hope to the oppressed and forgotten, and has campaigned with innovation and determination for justice. In recognition of this power to create incredible change the Street Art exhibition will also showcase 50 years of Amnesty posters.

The Art of Freedom - Taking it back to the Streets
Live Street Art Event
When: Thursday 9th June, 11am-2pm.
Where: St Kevin’s Arcade, 179 Karangahape Road, Auckland

Gallery Auction Event
When: Thursday 16th June, 6:30pm
Where: Te Karanga Gallery, Level 1, 208 K rd.

ENDS

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