Just Stop Oil: Piccadilly Circus art gallery taken over for You May Find Yourself...

Just Stop Oil took over a prime gallery space in Piccadilly Circus for a day on Saturday (June 3).

But rather than being an occupation, the event was an organised show at Koppel X to showcase works in an online auction.

Ironically, given the campaign against fossil fuels use’s recent targets, the building right under Piccadilly Circus’s famous screens is a former Barclays bank.

A launch event on Friday for You May Find Yourself… - the title referencing the Talking Heads song Once In A Lifetime - saw celebrities such as Boy George mingling with climate activists.

Artworks in the auction include pieces from artists and collectors such as Gavin Turk, Rut Blees Luxemburg, Vivienne Westwood and Jamie Reid.

Just Stop Oil is campaigning for the British government to halt all new fossil fuel licensing and consents immediately. It is supported by Filet space, The Koppel Project, The Auction Collective and the Vivienne Foundation.

Just Stop Oil

Jeremy Till, former head of Central Saint Martins and pro vice-chancellor of University of the Arts London, said: “Just Stop Oil has utilised art in their activism brilliantly – the soup on sunflowers and the searing after image of orange powder on the green baize snooker table. The wonderful artists contributing to this auction in solidarity are part of that protest.”

The Koppel Project

Rebecca Marcus-Monks, director of operations at The Koppel Project, said: “The Koppel Project is committed to its mission of fostering meaningful artistic dialogue. Supporting the You May Find Yourself… intervention is a natural extension of our dedication to driving positive change through art. By hosting this, we emphasise our role as a catalyst for transformative conversations. This opportunity allows us to leverage our platform to raise awareness and engage audiences towards a sustainable future where creativity and environmental consciousness coexist harmoniously.”

Filet Space

Brenna Horrox, curator at Filet space said: “This is an important intervention to show the art community stands with climate activists in the fight against further environmental exploitation and vice versa that climate activists value art and artists and want art to be part of the future.”

Art auction

The auction is online at The Auction Collective until 6pm on June 16.

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