Public Event: Art Rights Truth Project Launch (2022)

The major interdisciplinary research project Art Rights Truth was formally launched at a public event held at the University of York on Tuesday 13 September 2022. The AHRC-funded project is a partnership between the University of York and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, in collaboration with human rights artists and community arts projects across the world.

Project lead Professor Paul Gready (Co-Director, Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York) introduced the project, explaining how the idea for the project was developed and its main research aims. The hypothesis is that in an increasingly hostile context for human rights, the arts can help support the development of new ways to conceptualise and engage with human rights.

Professor Gready’s introduction was followed by a presentation from ART Co-Investigator and Colombia Truth Commissioner Alejandro Castejillo-Cuéllar, who joined the event remotely from Colombia. He spoke about his work on developing sonic and sensorial art as part of Colombia’s Truth Commission.

The evening then concluded with project co-investigator Dr Ana Bilbao Yarto (Department of History of Art, University of York) in conversation with Anishinaabe curator, artist and educator Wanda Nanibush (then Curator for Indigenous Art, Art Galley Ontario) about ‘Testimony, Narrative and Commemoration in Contemporary Indigenous Art and Decolonising the Museum’, with a particular focus on Canada.

With around 100 guests, the event was well attended and made for engaging discussion during the Q&A session and at the drinks reception afterwards.

The project focuses on questions such as:

• If established approaches to human rights are under siege in a post-truth world, what new approaches are struggling to be born?
• How do we understand, and seek to overcome, denial in various forms in this context?
• What frames and narratives will facilitate re-engagement with audiences?
• Is collaboration between artists and activists one entry-point to innovation?

These questions are addressed in case studies that are both global and country-based; engage with the past, present and future; and explore the intersections between human rights, international development, climate change, and COVID-19. For further information, visit the project website.

Professor Paul Gready introducing the Art Rights Truth project at the launch.