As the world’s largest Arms Fair opens in London’s Docklands, artists gather in its shadow to stage an alternative art show called Art the Arms Fair, a unique art exhibition that has been set up in opposition to the Defence & Security Equipment International 2017 (DSEI), one of the biggest arms fairs in the world.
The week-long free exhibition coinciding with the DSEI Arms Fair 12–15 September, can be found at 7th Floor, Capstan House, Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BA the exhibition will bring together the work of artists, including Guerrilla Girls, Peter Kennard, Darren Cullen & Banksy.
“Banksy is apparently offering a critique of the military industrial complex by deliberately destroying a rather nice child’s drawing” Sam Walton, an organiser of Art the Arms Fair.
Civilian Drone Strike will be auctioned at 6pm on Friday, 15 September in support of Campaign Against Arms Trade and Reprieve. Banksy has set the reserve price for the work at £10.
“Banksy’s work is world renowned and always razor sharp and topical. Civilian Drone Strike is such a powerful statement against everything that events like the DSEI arms fair stand for.” Sam Walton
“The arms trade doesn’t like people knowing about their dodgy deals to despotic regimes. They want to stay in the shadows. We are using art to draw as much attention as possible to the deadly results of their terrible industry.” Sam Walton
The arms fair will be attended by over 1600 arms companies. The official guest list includes delegations from countries with appalling human rights records: such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Philippines, Bahrain and Algeria. Most people have no idea that it even exists. We want to make it visible.
All donations for events and from selling art will support the work of Campaign Against Arms Trade, and Banksy’s also to Retrieve.
Photo Credit www.Banksy.co.uk