From Bristol To Britian: The Art of Activism Honouring 60 Years of the Race Relations Act 1965

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act, Bauer Media Outdoor and Curiosity Un(Ltd) are proud to launch the ten winning artworks from the Designs4Change competition in Bristol the home of the UK civil rights movement. This national art campaign is key part of the larger Bristol Bus Boycott 360 initiative, marks the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act. It transforms public spaces into a gallery for change, with winning designs now displayed on Bauer Media Outdoor's digital network. This outdoor gallery will reach millions at bus stops, shopping centres, and train stations across the UK until September 30th.

With a media space donation valued at £100k, the Designs4Change initiative celebrates creativity, community, and change. The competition launched as part of the Bristol Bus Boycott 360 campaign, building on last year's successful collaboration between the two partners.

On August 28th, all ten winning artworks will be showcased simultaneously on a giant digital outdoor screen at We The Curious in Bristol. This date holds special significance as it marks the victory of the Bristol Bus Boycott and the day Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. The event will also feature a special pre-recorded message to Bristol from Martin Luther King III, reinforcing the importance of the campaign.

Image - Credit Neil Barrie

Julz Davis, Disruptor-In-Chief of Curiosity Un(Ltd) (a social justice think-tank), said: "Designs4Change is a movement for representation and resilience. We're not just creating art; we're taking over public spaces to remind people of the history behind the Race Relations Act and the ongoing fight for change. We're deeply grateful to all who entered and invite everyone to look for the powerful work of our ten winners on display until September 30th."

Martin Corke, Chief Marketing Officer at Bauer Media Outdoor, said: "Designs4Change reminds us of the power that creativity has to spark conversation, especially when displayed where people live, work, and move. We're proud to turn our screens into a national gallery, elevating voices that demand to be seen and heard, while reinforcing our role in public spaces."

The ten winning artists from across the UK each bring a unique voice to the campaign. Here's what some of them had to say: 

Megan Tracey (Birmingham): "It's a great feeling to create something that commemorates figures instrumental in UK activism. My piece aims to foreground the strength of grassroots movements and encourage the idea that there is always more room to grow."

Eireen Joao Castano (Southampton): "My design, inspired by Richard Hooker's 'By the Bus Stop,' celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Race Relations Act. It uses the bus stop as a metaphor for Britain—a place where cultures and ethnicities mix every day, made possible by the Act and pioneers like Paul Stephenson."

Opeyemi Victor Olupese: "Inspired by the theme 'Echoes of Protest. Agents of Change,' winning this competition is an incredible honour. I'm proud that my artwork can contribute to the conversation around race, justice, and remembrance."

Launched on August 28th, Designs4Change kicks off an annual celebration known as the Big Bristol Bus Boycott Thank You. This series of city-wide events, running until the end of November, invites the public to participate in a variety of activities. From exploring a free walking app with prominent Bristol protest sites and submitting entries for the Words4Change Poetry competition, to joining "Bristol's Dreams" film project and attending the Paul Stephenson Talks in November, there are many ways for the public to engage with the campaign's themes.

In celebration of this landmark piece of legislation, the public is encouraged to keep an eye out for the winning designs on digital screens across the UK and to share photos and thoughts by using the hashtag #Designs4Change.

To find out more about the campaign and to download a full program and social media toolkit, visit www.CuriosityUnLtd.com or follow @Curiosity_UnLtd on social media.