Beth NewWoman

The Visualising Human Rights Arts Competition harnesses artistic expression and strategic partnerships to promote awareness, discussion and action around some of the most challenging human rights issues of our times. The competition will be exhibited at Blak Dot Gallery, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia and at Sammaki Gallery, Battambang, Cambodia.

Focusing on two articles of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, together with an issue or theme, Artists for Human Rights and Action is asking artists to reflect, interpret and express what those rights mean to them, then bring them to life through art. Shortlisted entries are exhibited, affording artists the opportunity to discuss their work with sponsors, partners, media outlets, and the wider public.

In 2012 we are asking artists to interpret and express the following articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) with specific reference to the issue of Human Trafficking:

· Article 3 – Right to Life, Liberty and Personal Security

· Article 4 – Freedom from Slavery

The Cambodian Sammaki Art Gallery and Studio Space opened in May 2011 and is an independent, artist-run, not-for-profit, community space. It provides studio space to artists as well as live-in accommodation for residents, space for workshops and meetings and the gallery itself. Critically, Sammaki provides a safe and secure space in which Khmer artists can meet and create without restrictions. Based in a nation where many forms of expression were brutally suppressed for many years, Sammaki’s programs are now helping to foster a whole new generation of artists who are focused on securing their rights. Artists for Human Rights and Action are proud to be associated with their ongoing work.

Ultimately, this international exhibition seeks to create a space in which artists, advocates and organisations can engage with each other, raise awareness, intercultural dialouge and most important of all inspire creative action and change.

Your Pozible contribution will go towards enabling the Visualising Human Rights Arts Competitionto be exhibited in Australia and Cambodia. The surplus funds will be used in 2013's competition/exhibition looking at the UNDHR's Article 5 and 5.  

We have secured some amazing sponsors, some whom have also contributed to the Pozible 'rewards', however international collaborations can get expensive! It would be great to showcase the conceptual interpretations with fantastic marketing. 

Funds raised will also support the finalists in the competition to have the opportunity to link with organisations that are actively working in the field, and offers those organisations the opportunity to use selected entries in their advocacy, marketing and awareness raising campaigns. In so doing, these partnerships ‘activate’ the artwork by taking them out of the gallery and into the street.

For more information please visit www.artistsforhumanrightsandaction.org.au