Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet students unveil an art campaign highlighting online misogyny, now displayed across the borough’s bus stops to raise public awareness.
Helena Lara and Jessica Lynch, two scholars at Middlesex University, produced the three bills, which were chosen in a competition held by the university and Barnet Council to commemorate the UN’s monthly 16 Days of Activism against gender- grounded violence, which this time focuses on digital abuse.
Helena was in charge of the fount and composition, while Jessica came up with the wording for each bill and made the images by hand using chalk aquarelles.
While the second poster advertises the council’s online domestic abuse help facilities, the first poster highlights the hidden offenders behind digital violence with a chalk-drawn monster hovering over a computer screen. With a call to action that points visitors to the website, the third poster urges boys and men to contribute to the solution.
“We liked the vivid colours and textures, and we wanted the imagery to be simple, relevant and engaging with messages that were encouraging and inclusive rather than accusatory or lecturing,”
said Jessica.
Helena added:
“I hope when people see our posters, they take a moment to think about this issue, any role they play, and the importance of continuing to demand change.”
The campaign is part of the university’s Hear My Voice project, which promotes student involvement in local social justice issues.
Dr Helen Bendon, associate professor and interim head of the university’s school of film, who leads the project, said:
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the London Borough of Barnet on this agenda, as our joint approach involves and benefits people across our community.
This was a great opportunity for our students to engage in global social justice campaigns through their creative disciplines. They also learned how to reach diverse audiences as part of the brief was a call to action for male allies to support this agenda.”
Sara Conway, Barnet Council’s cabinet member for community safety said:
“We welcome and thank Middlesex University students for all their work in creating innovative campaigns, posters, and products to highlight key messages to tackle violence against women and girls.
We very much value our ongoing partnership work with Middlesex University on this important issue.”
Which organisations funded or partnered on the project?
Barnet Council and Middlesex University partnered on the design. Barnet Council banded with Middlesex University to host the design competition and display the bills at over 40 machine harbors, aligning with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against gender- grounded violence.
The council handed spots and creation, while the university contributed pupil gifts through its Graphic Design and Illustration programmes, with no external funders specified beyond this original action.
As a public mindfulness crusade tied to council violence- against- women precedences, it probably drew from Barnet’s community safety or artistic budgets, emphasizing grassroots pupil involvement over large subventions.
