Exhibited artists are Sandra Ackermann, Karin Roy Andersson, Eskild Beck, Milena Buljan, Victoria Burgher, Edna Cantoral Acosta, Magdalena Czubak Vlasak, Fiona Dent, ARINA, Heather MCDonald, Roland Okon, Despina Papadopoulou, Polina Pakhomova, Mario Raoli, Steve Rosenthal, Flora Robertson, Axelle Russo, Govinda Sah, Karine Schneider, Fianne Stanford, Paula Stevens-Hoare, Zoe Sua Kay, Valeriya Vygodnaya, Ewa Zasada, and Artur Zarczynski.

Competition judges are Deeyah (Singer and Composer), Francisco Laranjo (Artist and Head of School of Arts at Porto University) and Joan Smith (Writer and Columnist).

Private View: Saturday 29 October 2011, 18.00 – 21.00 hours

Gallery: UNIT24 Gallery, 24 Great Guildford Street, London SE1 0FD (Transport Underground stations: Southwark)

Exhibition: 29 October – 5 November 2011
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday 8.00 – 18.00 hours; Thursday – Friday 8.00 – 18.30 hours

Passion for Freedom Art Competition, Second Edition, 2010

Passion for Freedom Art Competition, First Edition, 2009

NOTES

To donate to the crucial work of One Law for All, please either send a cheque made payable to One Law for All to BM Box 2387, London WC1N 3XX, UK or pay via Paypal.

We need regular support that we can rely on and are asking for supporters to commit to giving at least £5-10 a month via direct debit. You can find out more about how to join the 100 Club here.

The One Law for All Campaign was launched on 10 December 2008, International Human Rights Day, to call on the UK Government to recognise that Sharia and religious courts are arbitrary and discriminatory against women and children in particular and that citizenship and human rights are non-negotiable. To join the campaign, sign our petition here.

For further information contact:
Maryam Namazie and Anne Marie Waters
Spokespersons
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
onelawforall@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk

18 International Artists took part in the ‘Passion for Freedom’ competition organised by One Law for All.  The group show presents artists shortlisted in the First Stage of the competition.

The winners of EQ Award which stands for Equality were announced at the 20 November private viewing at UNIT24 Gallery located next to TATE Modern.

The Gallery was packed with guests.

During the ‘Little Bride’ preview screening some of the viewers had to stand outside and watch it through the gallery’s high ceiling windows.

The show is of the highest standard.

One of the judges, Terry Sanderson, praised the high quality of the works presented.

There was press present not only from the UK but from all over Europe.

Basia Leszczynska, one of the shortlisted artists says: ‘The theme posed a huge challenge for me. Sharia courts in Britain, how to approach it? I kept asking myself? I did not want to present it explicitly.
Painting is a different medium to film making, reportage. At the same time the message has to be clear, it has to shake people’s minds. It has to stay with them for longer and make them think. Using the shock tactic does not always work in art, especially when we are talking about abuse of justice and brutal treatment of another human being. I wanted to avoid drastic images as there are too many of them around us.’

The time and effort put into organising the event was well worth it given the reception the exhxibition received.

The gallery was buzzing with conversations and excitement. The problems and issues avoided by many were openly discussed. We succeeded in bringing the subject into the open.

‘There are regimes that are afraid of art, but artists are not afraid of regimes’, with these words Agnieszka Kolek, the artist and curator, opened an envelope with the EQ Award winners.

The winning artists selected by Singer/Songwriter Deeyah and National Secular Society President Terry Sanderson were:

1. Anna Sundt for ‘Cover up’ series

2. Roberta Coni for ‘Erasing her’

3. Svitlana Grebenyuk for ‘Ahmadinejad’

Maryam Namazie, One Law for All’s Spokesperson, gave a powerful speech stressing that in Britain there is silence over Sharia courts instead of condemnation. She said: ‘Sharia courts are not ‘just’ limited to civil matters. Just because they are denying women’s rights in the family rather than stoning women in city squares, one can’t say there isn’t a serious problem… We live in times that oblige us to stand up and be counted for!’

She stressed that the exhibited art is not only of the highest quality but is also a voice in defence of women’s rights.

An overcrowded gallery is not a common sight even in London, the capital of art!

John, a student at St. Martin’s College of Art, and one of the visitors says: ‘The show is amazing. I am impressed with the artists’ maturity and approach to the subject matter. I wasn’t aware of Sharia courts in Britain until now. It is really disturbing.’

‘I love Maja Wolna’s work. They are ascetic in their design but go straight to the point.’

‘And it shocks me when they tell me about religious laws.  How come women are still treated like this in the 21 century? And this law is applied in Britain? I am appalled.’

‘The show is amazing, interesting people, great food and wine. I will definitely follow the subject.’

Maryam Namazie’s speech at the event

Video from event

2011 ‘Passion for Freedom’ edition coming soon. Website: http://www.passionforfreedom.co.uk

You can submit your work to the preliminary stage of the competition at:

art.wave@onelawforall.org.uk

Read story | Photo Gallery | Video

Read Story |Photo Gallery | Video | Press Releases

Several hundred people joined a successful rally organised by One Law for All
on November 21, 2009 in London’s Hyde Park.

One Law For All is sponsoring an Art Competition open to all artists. The event promotes freedom and equal rights for all citizens. Artistic expression, as embodied by the campaign’s emblematic phrase: One Law For All, will focus on exposing the discriminatory nature of religious – based tribunals and encouraging equal rights. Chosen works will be shown during a gallery exhibition in November. Three of art works will be awarded and presented on the Website ( front page ).

Entry Format: all medium.

Contest Deadline: 1 November 2009

Send your work via email to:

artcompetition.onelawforall@gmail.com

or post CD to One Law For All Campaign:

Art Competition

BM Box 2387

London WC1N 3XX, UK

join us on http://www.myspace.com/passionforfreedom

art-competition