Art + Activism

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Art + Activism supports Human Rights Watch by engaging with artists, curators, cultural icons, and galleries. We deploy creative mediums for the human rights movement, toward a more equitable future where everyone’s voice is elevated.

PROJECTS COLLABORATIONS

"Grass Mud Horse" Lithograph Collaboration with Ai Weiwei & JRP|Editions

Renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, Human Rights Watch & JRP|Editions are proud to introduce their first collaboration, on three series of limited-edition lithographs titled "Grass Mud Horse". Ai Weiwei, a global icon in contemporary art and human rights advocacy, continues to inspire with his fearless expression and diverse artistic practices. His work spans sculptural installations, filmmaking, photography, ceramics, and more, often reflecting his dedication to social justice and freedom. From his iconic middle-finger salutes to sites of power to his exploration of refugees' plights in "Human Flow," Ai Weiwei's art challenges and transforms.

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Human Rights and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with artist Badiucao

In the run up to the start of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4, 2022, Human Rights Watch has released five videos that cover what's at stake for human rights as the Chinese government seeks to use the games to "sportswash" its abysmal human rights record. The videos feature animation by Chinese artist Badiucao. All five can be viewed here.

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Crackdown on Cuban Artists

We continue to bring attention to the Cuban regime’s abuses against protesters, activists, and artists. Partnering with Amnesty International and PEN America, our campaign has received the support of many international celebrities and artists. Maykel Castillo Pérez, a rap artist who collaborated on a protest song, and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, an outspoken visual artist, are among those HRW has called to be released.

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FIGHTING FEAR #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar

Supported by Human Rights Watch and presented within the first edition of the PHOTOCLIMAT Biennal in Paris, from the 15th of September to the 15th of October 2021. Fighting Fear will be one of many outdoor installations established in major sites of Paris. The exhibit features graphic art and photos developed during the resistance to the military coup to push our advocacy message to the French government.

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20 21 Artists for Human Rights Watch: Artsy and WILLAS contemporary

From March 4 – March 18, 2021, twenty established artists and twenty-one emerging artists will contribute works that comment on events of 2020 and 2021. Led by WILLAS contemporary and hosted by Artsy, the project includes special curatorial collaboration with Benjamin Jaeger, Nabiha Khan-Giordano, and Ceval Omar.

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Ai Weiwei MASK

During the summer of 2020, Ai Weiwei’s MASK project offered face coverings hand printed with iconic images of Ai Weiwei’s life-long campaign for free speech and individual rights. MASK was a collaboration with eBay for Charity to raise funds for the COVID-19 humanitarian and human rights efforts undertaken by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and Refugees International.

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Frieze x Human Rights Watch: Ai Weiwei, Speaking Truth to Power

Frieze and HRW teamed up to co-present two very special discussions: Ai Weiwei in conversation with Ken Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, and Shirin Neshat with curator Ed Schad.

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HRW x EXPO CHICAGO

Human Rights Watch has participated in EXPO CHICAGO since 2012. Our 2019 exhibition, A Flight into the Abyss by Maryam Taghavi, was curated in collaboration with Weinberg/Newton Gallery, an interactive installation shining a spotlight on the power of language as a tool for propaganda.

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“Turn soft and lovely anytime you have the chance.”

Jenny Holzer

PARTNERS FRIENDS

Ai Weiwei Artsy Carolina Barrero Marcus Bleasdale Guillaume Bruère Tania Bruguera Sophie Cauvin Patrick Chappatte Patrick Ernst Coppejans Didier Claes Gallery Diaz-Lewis Rineke Dijkstra Tracey Emin EXPO CHICAGO Frieze New York Kendell Geers Amber Ginsburg Antony Gormley GRAY gallery Rhona Hoffman Gallery Jenny Holzer Jean-Baptiste Huynh Xavier Hufkens Nabiha Khan-Giordano Aaron Hughes Janet Lawrence Angus McDonald Manfred Müller Vik Muniz Shirin Neshat Erwin Olaf Claudia Paetzold Arne Quinze The Rational Dress Society Pipilotti Rist ROSEGALLERY Ed Schad Rose Shoshana Fabrice Samyn Matt Smiley Bosco Sodi Sorry We're Closed Gallery Siri Stolt-Nielsen Lisandro Suriel Maryam Taghavi Kadir van Lohuizen Axel Vervoordt Gallery Weinberg/Newton Gallery WILLAS contemporary

CONTACT

If you would like to support Art + Activism, please contact artandactivism@hrw.org.

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