Eve De Haan shines a light on London’s dark and unsafe streets in urban exhibition

Neon Artist Teams with Zebra One Gallery and Reclaim These Streets for ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ charity campaign

 

Celebrated neon artist, Eve De Haan will shine a light on London’s streets and women’s safety issues, tonight (April 15), with an illuminated billboard campaign curated by Zebra One Gallery, promoting Reclaim These Streets’  ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ campaign, with all profits donated to make the UK a safer, fairer place for women.

The billboards in places including Shoreditch, Fulham,  Peckham and Dalston will display Eve’s art – an image of a  deserted street after dark, with the poignant, glowing words,  ‘Text Me When You Get Home,’ a familiar phrase which often  replaces ‘goodbye’ for women, representing how  safeguarding and safety fears have become a routine way of  life for females after dark.

As well as illuminating the dark streets, the urban exhibition  marks the start of the Reclaim These Streets movement’s  new campaign, which aims to use legislation, education and  community action to ensure no woman has to be asked to  ‘Text Me When You Get Home’ again. 

Four original prints, including the piece displayed on  billboards, will be on sale through Zebra One Gallery with  ALL profits raised going to Rosa, a grant-making charity  that funds grassroots women’s organisations to help make  the UK a fairer, safer place for women. 

Eve says: “Many of my pieces celebrate the unique strength  of women. The tragic circumstances of Sarah Everard’s  murder and similar stories of attacks and harassment  towards women around the world, shows that we still have  such a long way to go before we can feel safe.  

“I wanted to share these pieces in a public setting to show  support for women and to remind people that a message  like, ‘Text me when you get home,’ has become a part of our  everyday lives, and that shouldn’t be the case.” 

Reclaim These Streets was formed in the aftermath of Sarah  Everard’s tragic murder, with the simple idea of holding a vigil. But after the event was cancelled, more than £500,000  was donated to the cause by supporters, leading to a  partnership with charity Rosa.  

Having already testified to the Home Affairs Committee,  Reclaim These Streets are now working with cross-party MPs  on amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts  Bill to outlaw street harassment and kerb crawling.  

Jamie Klingler, one of the founders of Reclaim These Streets, says: “We are thrilled to be working with Eve. We need to  shine a light on all of the places where women are unsafe in  public spaces and Eve’s way of illustrating the plight of all  women will spark conversation and interest, which ultimately translates into change.” 

The billboards for the campaign were generously subsidised  by Brotherhood Media and are expected to remain in place  for two weeks.  

Zebra One Gallery owner and curator, Gabrielle du Plooy  adds: “As a woman, this is an issue close to my own heart.  

“I’ve lived in London my whole life and – like most women –  have had personal experiences which have made me feel  unsafe. So I’m delighted that we are able to help with such  an important campaign through our art.”  

‘Women’s Safety: What Can Men Do?’

Forth 1 and Clyde 1 to broadcast special show today

Following the tragic death of Sarah Everard, Clyde 1, Forth 1 and their sister stations are set to broadcast a special show: ‘Women’s Safety: What Can Men Do?’ to discuss this essential issue.

This morning (Wednesday 17th March) from 9.30pm to 10pm, the show will be broadcast across Scotland on the Hits Radio Network including MFR, Northsound 1, Tay FM, Radio Borders and West FM.

The show will be hosted by Garry Spence and Arlene Stuart and the panel will include:

  • Davy Thompson from White Ribbon Scotland which is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men’s violence against women.
  • Selena Jackson – Radio Clyde journalist who has covered this key issue extensively
  • Donna Davies – counsellor of children, young people and adults

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Hits Radio brands in Scotland said: “The tragic death of Sarah Everard has dominated the news agenda for the last few weeks. It is a very important conversation and we want to share insights from key figures about the way that everyone can play a part and for us all to talk about it.”

‘Women’s Safety: What Can Men Do?’ will be aired on Wed 17th March 2021 from 9.30pm to 10pm on Clyde 1, Forth 1, MFR, Northsound 1, Tay FM, Radio Borders and West FM.