Craftivisim: #Imapiece Installation unveiling

I’ve become a big craftivism fan and I’m not alone.

People from all over the country have been taking part in the #Imapiece project in conjunction with Save the Children and it’s soon time for the unveiling of the installation.

What’s really great is that Manchester is going to see it before anyone else.

The People’s History Museum is going to the host the event, with jigsaw pieces from people like me and you, from across the country, contributing to the project. We’ve also stitched versions for our local MPs – in my case, Kate Green. I’ve even gone so far as to invite her to the unveiling to accept my piece in person.

This protest on a mass scale is aimed at David Cameron; as president at the next G8 Summit, which will be held in the UK in June this year. Whilst a petition can be dismissed, or forgotten, this project, comprising of hundreds of completed jigsaw pieces fixed together will be hard to ignore.

Craftivist Collective founder Sarah Corbett believes hunger and malnutrition are political problems, which need political solutions, and that the craft community can play a part, and I agree with her.

She says: “Life is like a puzzle, it all seems a mess but when it gets finished it looks brilliant. This project aims to show that we are all connected and our actions make a difference. There is no one solution to the problem of injustice but we can all play a part in a movement for change. We are supporting Save the Children because, as well as being a conscious consumer, this is a vital time to effect long-term change through campaigning and meeting your MP. We can’t miss this opportunity.”

Save the Children Campaigner, Annabel Taylor: “Last year 2 million children died of hunger, this is a tragedy because it is preventable; there is enough food in the world for everyone. We just need the political will to change this. We can change this injustice if we are part of the solution, if we all ask our MPs to act on this issue.”

 

So Manchester, come along, get crafty, and show your support. There’s still time to get involved; jigsaw pieces can still be downloaded and completed by the deadline – 21st February – or just come along to the unveiling and show your support for a great project and a great charity:

When:  Friday 1st March any time from 6pm-8pm

(with 15 minutes of speeches by a Craftivist, Manchester WI representative and Save the Children staff member 7pm-7:15pm we would love you to hear)

Where: Peoples History Museum cafe area, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER

Please RSVP: to craftivist.collective@gmail.com – so we know how many refreshments to provide and can welcome you in.