I created this modern chinoiserie art print as a response to the recurring horrific events of police brutality and ongoing racism in the world today. At the time of George Floyd’s death, I wanted so badly to do something to help and felt compelled to take action. This print was my reaction, with a heartfelt desire to make a difference.
The 1964 song, ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke has always been deeply meaningful to me and inspired this artwork; a protest song from the Civil Rights Movement expressing the desire for change in an unjust world. To me, music provokes emotions and is a language that communicates feelings and sentiment in a manner that’s hard to express in other way. The birds represent freedom, hope and joy despite the anger of the situation - symbolic of driving a change in the way in which black communities are treated.
100% of the profits are split evenly between two charities: the NAACP charity, whose mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination, and the United Family and Friends Campaign, a UK coalition who support families of black people affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody. Together, we have raised over £13,000 for these charities.
With the profits from this print, we can come together and honour the wishes of Sam Cooke and every other civil rights activist, and make progress toward real change.
A change is gonna come. Thank you x