Artist Bob and Roberta Smith has installed a 12 metres long sign on the roof of Hull School of Art and Design.

It reads: "This is a Freedom of Expression Centre".

In a joint project with the school, and as part of the Hull 2017 Look Up programme of public art installations, the sign heralds month of activity exploring the nature of modern protest, the role that art and arts education have in reinforcing the democratic process and the freedom and restrictions that artists experience around the world.

This is a Freedom of Expression Centre encompasses an exhibition, including a new Bob and Roberta Smith artwork that is more than 14 metres long, plus workshops, talks and a special performance by the artist's Apathy Band on Saturday, September 2.

During the Freedom Festival, there will also be a conversation between Bob and Roberta Smith and Blair Imani on Sunday, September 3.

Bob and Roberta Smith said: Its a huge honour to show this new work. This is a Freedom of Expression Centre has been inspired by two key experiences of mine.

"Firstly, the past five years as an advocate for the arts, exploring why democratic societies generally support and defend the arts, while repressive regimes curb them.

The second experience was an interview I conducted with a Black Lives Matter activist, Blair Imani, while making a BBC 4 programme on protest.

"You can see Blairs inspiring interview in the exhibition. Blairs interview took us on a journey from New York to Louisiana and into the heart of a story that is rarely revealed in the news media.

Work in the exhibition by fine art students at Hull School of Art and Design will include installation and process-based participative pieces resulting from a Bob and Roberta Smith presented to them earlier this year during a talk by the artist.

Martin Green, director of Hull 2017, said: 'Hull has a long history of championing human rights and freedom. At a time of change in the UK Bob and Roberta Smiths This is a Freedom of Expression Centre is a reminder of the important role that art and artists have in commenting on issues of the day and challenging the status quo and will be a thought-provoking part of our Freedom season."

The Freedom of Expression Centre at Hull School of Art and Design will run until Sunday, September 3.

To find out more visit the City of Culture website.

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Artist spreads the message of freedom in Hull with 12m sign on Hull School of Art and Design - Hull Daily Mail