For Freedoms mounts nationwide billboard takeover for Indigenous Peoples' Day with over 70 artists
In celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 12, the group For Freedoms has launched a billboard campaign across all 50 states. This initiative features contributions from over 70 artists, such as Ai Weiwei, Guerrilla Girls, Marilyn Minter, Edgar Heap of Birds, and Shepard Fairey. For Freedoms, which was started in 2016 by Hank Willis Thomas, Eric Gottesman, Michelle Woo, and Wyatt Gallery, aims to use art to foster civic engagement and uplift marginalized voices. Claudia Peña, the executive director, told The Guardian about the need to change narratives by changing who tells them. Indigenous Peoples' Day, established in 1977, honors those affected by colonialism and includes highway ads to commemorate the occasion.
Key facts
- For Freedoms organized a billboard takeover across all 50 U.S. states
- The project marks Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 12
- Over 70 artists participated, including Ai Weiwei and Shepard Fairey
- Indigenous Peoples' Day was first initiated in 1977
- For Freedoms was founded in 2016 by Hank Willis Thomas, Eric Gottesman, Michelle Woo, and Wyatt Gallery
- The collective aims to promote civic engagement through art
- Executive director Claudia Peña spoke to The Guardian about changing narratives
- The project uses highway advertising for remembrance
Entities
Artists
- Ai Weiwei
- Guerrilla Girls
- Marilyn Minter
- Edgar Heap of Birds
- Shepard Fairey
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Eric Gottesman
- Michelle Woo
- Wyatt Gallery
- Claudia Peña
Institutions
- For Freedoms
- The Guardian
Locations
- United States