Amnesty International Media Release

For immediate release

06 July 2010

Calling on Kiwis to make a bid for human rights

The very idea of being imprisoned for exercising your right to freedom of expression would outrage most New Zealanders.

Yet in Russia, two men are currently facing imprisonment for holding a contemporary art exhibition named Forbidden Art 2006. The exhibition gathered together works of art by various artists that had been refused inclusion at exhibitions throughout the year because they portrayed religious icons in a way the state’s lawyers said denigrated religion.

Here in New Zealand we often take our right to freedom of expression for granted, which is why Amnesty International has decided to celebrate this right – a right that is appreciated by few, yet denied to many - by holding a charity art auction, ARTicle 19.

Featuring art generously donated by renowned and emerging New Zealand artists including Nigel Brown, Otis Frizzell, Misery, Trust Me, Kelly Thompson, Amalie Tennesmann, Tanya Blong, DRYPNZ and Cinzah Merkens, ARTicle 19 will celebrate art and human rights.

The event is being coordinated by the organisation’s interns and is run entirely on the goodwill of people who believe in the fundamental human rights of people everywhere.

All proceeds from this event will contribute to Amnesty International’s work promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.

ARTicle 19 – Amnesty International Charity Art Auction

Wednesday July 7

7-10 pm

Shed 10

90 Wellesley Street (Entrance from 77 Cook St)

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