Wunderman Thompson UK Partners with Hestia to Promote Hard-Hitting ‘Art is Freedom’ Exhibition

Agency partners with charity to raise awareness of modern slavery, promoting the sixth year of their ‘Art is Freedom’ exhibition.

Modern slavery is a serious crime affecting an estimated 122,000 people across the UK - but it’s a crime that’s often hidden. Hestia’s annual exhibition, ‘Art is Freedom’ aims to change perceptions of modern slavery, to enable the British public to recognise that it happens all around us, and that anyone can become a victim. 

Hestia is the leading provider of modern slavery support in London and the Southeast supporting over 2,400 survivors in 2022 in their recovery from the trauma of exploitation. The charity has been supporting survivors for over a decade – both in safe houses and the community.

Wunderman Thompson UK has supported the charity with a Piccadilly Lights takeover on 18th October (Anti-Slavery Day), which promotes Hestia’s Trafalgar Square exhibition delivered in partnership with Westminster City Council, with ad-space donated by Landsec. The film states ‘The art is free, and now so are the artists’, and showcases the work of survivors who are often unseen on the largest out-of-home site in Europe. 

Patrick Ryan, chief executive at Hestia, commented, “Most of us cannot quite comprehend that slavery still happens in London and the UK in 2023. We hope that seeing Art is Freedom up on the iconic Piccadilly lights raises awareness of this brutal and often unpunished crime while also celebrating the talents, resilience, and hope of survivors. We are hugely grateful to Wunderman Thompson, Westminster City Council and Landsec for helping us make this a reality.” 

Mike Watson, creative director at Wunderman Thompson UK, adds, “We’re happy to have played an incredibly small part in helping Hestia express the stories and identities of those who have escaped modern slavery on one of the most viewed digital canvases in London.”

Cllr Aicha Less, deputy leader and cabinet member for communities, public protection and licensing said, “We are so proud to continue our support for Hestia and showcase the incredible artwork around Westminster. Locations like Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square give the artists a chance to share their story with the biggest possible audience. We hope this will raise awareness of modern slavery in the UK and change the perception of how it can happen in 2023.”

This isn’t the first time that Wunderman Thompson has partnered with the charity. They previously worked with Hestia through HSBC’s Safe Spaces campaign, and fundraised for them through the agency’s women's’ network, RISE. 

You can visit the ‘Art is Freedom’ exhibition until 20th October 2023, and can find out more about the exhibition here.