Today, Octopus Energy and Artfinder unveil ‘Portraits from the Precipice’, the world’s largest open-air art exhibition. More than 2,500 locations across the UK, from London Waterloo Station to the M4 will display artworks submitted by the public to inspire action on climate change.
Hundreds of contributors’ artwork will be displayed at iconic locations from 25th November – 23rd February 2019, making it the largest-ever out of home exhibition. Each unique piece responded to the brief of ‘what climate change means to you’, addressing our current crisis.
Members of the public, whether professional, aspiring or amateur artists, also have the opportunity to participate in the climate exhibition and can submit their pieces through Octopus Energy’s website. The renewable energy supplier is selecting submissions to be displayed across the UK in this unique advertising campaign. The best entry in this category wins an eco-holiday for two to Iceland as well as nationwide exposure.
The ‘Portraits from the Precipice’ campaign concludes with an event at the Royal Academy of Art in February 2020, where the best artwork from the Artfinder partnership will be displayed alongside work from its Eco-Visionaries exhibition. The first annual Climate Change Art Prize, a £10,000 award, will be judged by a selection of eminent art and climate experts and presented to the winner by Octopus Energy’ founder and CEO Greg Jackson, and Artfinder CEO Michal Szczesny.
In a united display of support for action against climate change, proceeds from the artwork sales on Artfinder will be donated to renewable energy charities.
Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, commented:
“We’re on the precipice of uncertain disaster, but it’s entirely avoidable.
“Artfinder’s community of thousands of artists around the world can inspire change, and Octopus are displaying these sensational artworks in some of the most visible locations across the UK.
“Art has always been a key vehicle to visualise difficult topics, and no topic is more important than inspiring people to stop the wanton destruction of our planet.”
Michal Szczesny, CEO of Artfinder, commented:
“We have been overwhelmed by the contributions to this project – our community is passionate about raising awareness of our climate crisis.
“Millions of people now have the opportunity to see work from our inspirational artists and public contributions, and we hope this helps bring about vital change.
“We hope it may convince more of us to take steps, however small, to start changing the tide on this issue and avert a genuine threat to our fragile ecosystem.”
– Ends –
Notes for editors:
The artwork can be seen in over 2,500 high-visibility locations across the UK between 25th November 2019 – 23rd February 2020, including:
- London Waterloo station
- Leicester Train station
- Brighton Train station and across the city centre
- The M4 motorway corridor
For journalists in their professional capacity only. Issued by Octopus Energy Ltd. Registered office: 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT. Registered in England and Wales No. 09263424. Issued: November 2019.