Art Against Knives calls for ‘Heartbreak’ submissions

Artistic expressions of broken hearts are being sought by local charity Art Against Knives to join the permanent HEARTBREAK! exhibition soon to be shown in Bethnal Green’s Smarty Pants Launderette.

The community project seeks to raise awareness of the root causes of knife crime with the help of local artists. The showcase will feature the works of established artists alongside contributions from East London creatives, all sharing a room with real dirty laundry.

The exhibition’s aim is to raise the profile of Art Against Knives’ work with young people at risk of violent crime.

Portraying heartbreak from a ‘brighter’ angle, the exhibition will feature a range of artistic mediums including illustration, graphics and poetry, with the organization open to all public submissions.

Art Against Knives was founded in 2008 as the brainchild of friends Katy Dawe and Oliver Hemsley after Hemsley was stabbed in Shoreditch. The charity runs a shop in Shoreditch’s Boxpark which sells artworks to fund the youth programme OurSpace and its work to provide art-based alternatives to gang culture.

The scheme is being carried out in conjunction with Pamphlet, a Hackney-based organisation that sets up platforms for artists to communicate with the public. The group has previously worked with Art Against Knives to create an installation on Shoreditch’s Ebor Street.

Submissions to the exhibition must be received by 5 November 2012. A private viewing will be held on Thursday 6 December 2012 featuring film screenings, live music and a poster sale.