About AOP
Art of Protest (AOP) is a team of professional creatives, artists and storytellers. We were founded in 2016 with a mission to transform the way our communities engage with their sense of place. Our aim is to help generate transformation and social impact.
HOW?
By brokering an understanding and vision between stakeholders and communities for a shared future through the power of art, culture and creative critical thinking.
WHY?
Because too many people have too little skin in the game; and too few have too much.
our ethos
INCLUSIVE
We don’t care what background you are from - we know good ideas can come from anywhere - so everyone has the right to be heard and no one should be left out or left behind.
RESPECTFUL
As a business we think every individual and every point of view should be treated with the respect and professionalism we all deserve. We all enjoy dignity.
CONSISTENT
Staying strong to our beliefs and promises – even when the going gets tough – signals we can be relied upon as a team.
COLLABORATIVE
The only way to get things done in the modern world is to work in partnership as one, pursuing shared goals and ambitions.
OUR TEAM
Meet the experts you'll be working with
our JOURNEY
How our mission developed, through the lens of Founder, Jeff Clark
one of 4 siblings
According to TeachingTimes, 80% of dyslexic children leave school without being identified.
According to Marker Learning, 40% of adults with dyslexia go undiagnosed as children.
“We need to be cautious about using labels and stereotypes, as they often bring the worst out in people, but are there for a reason.”
– Jeff Clark, Founder of AOP
Jeff is diagnosed with severe Dyslexia & ADHD by the college.
With support from the college, Jeff studies media, communications and film.
Trains to be a professional photographer under several geographical expedition photographers favouring portraiture, black and white monographic arts.
Jeff takes up hiking, climbing and mountaineering.
"Learning about the outdoors was the same as learning about life. We don’t learn in fear and we don’t learn in comfort."
Jeff Clark, Founder of AOP
The love of fatherhood and the great outdoors...
WITH THE ARTS
Also working with historical collections such as Monet, Piccasso and Dali.
Jeff also develops a specialism in outdoor / public art and event creation.
Then takes the show on the road across the US to California.
Jeff continues to work on major projects such as the groundbreaking art trail the High Line in NYC with garden engagement and murals from Kobra and Marcelle Murdoch.
Collaborates with Co-Curator Tina Ziegler to support the establishment of the international urban Art Fair, Moniker in the UK.
"Jeff has always been a visionary and innoivative in his problem solving capabilites. He always has and always will bring a lot to the creative industries."
Tina Ziegler, Founder of Moniker Art Fair
The gallery opens with a major street party bringing together the city and celebrations of a movement begins.
AOP collaborates with cities and artists to pioneer the way for urban street art in the north of the UK.
Curates fur Hull city of Culture raising awareness for homelessness with Canadian artist Laurence Vallieries to make a life sized elephant family to go on show in the city to help discuss ‘the elephant in the room'.
London collaboration with Moniker Projects and Creative Debuts.
AOP quickly grows in influence, consulting to BIDs and councils for public art and street art movements.
Art has a part to play in society and we knew it. AOP becomes more than the Arts and campaigns for better Placemaking and Community Engagement.
“Having worked across the arts, I realised that they were often disconnected and prone to academic and financial elitism. Good public art is made through collaboration, sharing and engagement, therefore representing the true sense of a place.”
– Jeff Clark, Founder of AOP
UPLIFT, the Rotherham Skate and Art Festival, designed and delivered by AOP, commissioned by Rotherham Council.
Working with nature and history -Keppel’s Column - South Yorkshire Museums commission AOP to create a huge piece of temporary land art best enjoyed from the top of their colossal tower.
Talent development and skills pathways are trialled successfully.
Collaborating with Kensington BID to bring the streets to life.
AOP works in partnership with the Foundation of Light and Sunderland Athletic Football Club to develop a pilot for the Street Art Academy: an antidote to the STEM learning mainstream education system (more to come on this….)
"The world is becoming more colourful. Do we want to choose the colours or let someone else choose for us?"
– Jeff Clark, Founder of AOP
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