A Manchester artist is calling on the city’s activists to hit the streets on Friday evening to protest… about whatever they like.
Claire Curtin is ending her week-long micro-residency at Spinningfield’s People’s History Museum with People’s Protest, encouraging Mancunians to grab a megaphone and to shout about issues they feel strongly about.
With calls from the likes of Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd for the public to protest fairly in the wake of the ongoing King Street Gaza protests, Claire is hoping the event will show the city’s appetite for change in a positive light.
“It’s celebrating our right to protest and our ability to do that and make change with that protest as well,” said the 29-year-old social activisim artist.
“It’s important if you can do it that you should to show solidarity. Sometimes a change doesn’t happen from protest but if you have it written in history that you did something then I can live with that.
ACTIVISM ART: Claire creates her artwork at the museum
“I don’t want to tell future generations that I let something like the bedroom tax go through without doing something about it.
“What is happening in Gaza is horrifying and people are upset and taking to the streets worldwide and think that is important to show solidarity.”
Protests have inspired the artist’s work all week with screen printing sessions, creating placards and running polls to provoke audiences to engage with her art.
On Friday, she is planning to march her merry band of protestors from the museum to Lincoln Square where people will have the chance to make speeches on a subject of their choice, mixing with others with differing views.
INCREASE THE PEACE: Anyone is welcome to protest for any cause
Claire is a protest veteran and hopes that the way people with different gripes pulled together for the 2010 anti-cuts protests will be replicated on Friday.
“I’ve been brought up in protests basically,” said Claire. “I was there in 2010 and I’ve been attending protests throughout my life.”
Clare was one of 12 ‘early career’ artists to be picked from 90 applications for the micro-residency.
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In a two-week vote for their three favourite artists, 1,165 people selected a final three for the £600 residency and the chance to work at the museum – which has the motto ‘the home of ideas worth fighting for’.
“I really wanted the residency,” said Claire.
“I was always a big fan of the museum and their motto struck me as a good idea. My work is mostly about protests anyway.
“The idea seemed almost obvious to me.”
FIGHT THE POWER: Political protesters are welcome to join proceedings
The protest is welcome to everyone, whatever age, race and gender as well as being open to any political and religious beliefs – but offensive actions will not be condoned.
And Claire claims that people don’t even have to have a burning desire to tackle global issues to take part.
“It doesn’t even have to be serious,” she said.
“If someone wants to come and say ‘down with this’ and do something Father Ted-style they are very welcome.”
Information about the event is available here, and the People’s History Museum website here.
