This Ain't Rock'n'Roll

“So what if we’re controllin’ all the oil, is it worth a child dying for?” Prince An inspiring, informative and insightful talk: Design as Protest, given by Clive Russell from @thisaintrock . Clive shared with us (far more eloquently than I can relay) the history of design, craft and protest. And, that protest doesn’t need to be aggressive and confrontational but it starts with; working as community - not alone, communicating a clear message for change and that change is possible. Then as a community be brave and go big! Lots and lots of amazing conversations took place after the talk, people left lit up. Many thanks to Clive, the amazing community that is Camcreatives and the Blue Moon pub for hosting us. This @camcreatives meet up was organised before Christmas, but turned out to be perfect and eerie timing given the global geopolitical sh** show. And for me personally because it was also the 10th anniversary of the musical rebel Prince passing away. 7 years after being in London with @xrebellionuk surrounded by the graphic presence* of Extinction Rebellion that was designed by Clive used to communicate what it all stood for. And today being Earth Day! 🌍 💚 For more details of what other amazing graphics and art lead protest are along place check out: @gasbabygas @thefeteofbritain * Clive uses the word ‘presence’ for the graphic assets created for Extinction Rebellion. He hates the word ‘branding’ because of its historical links to the ownership of people and property.

Late to the party but we heard it was 2016 again? Here’s a little throwback to when we launched a country - Brixtopia ❤️🖤💚 A nation state-of-mind where everyone is welcome. A place of acceptance and love; a place where the traditional notions of value and worth can be redefined. A place where creativity and imagination are celebrated. That was Brixtopia. Born from the Brixton Pound project, rather than trying to grow the economics of the local currency to take over Britain, we wanted to export the underlying values of the organisation – and work in our back yard. So in September of 2016, we took over the wonderful Calais-inspired Rebel Corner for an evening of rabble-rousing revelry. Poetry, DJ performances, clothing workshop, speakers and the reading of an 18-point Brixtopian Manifesto (slide 11) made for an unforgettable event. A decade later, the foundational thinking of Brixtopia feels as fresh and relevant as ever (in our humble opinion). Now in 2026, The Fête of Britain is on a similar mission to help people experience, get excited about, and start building the new future our country needs.

My artwork ‘Fragile UK flag’ (2015) is currently part of the exhibition ‘The Right to Protest’ currently on until 28 September at Greatorex Street. If you are free on Sunday there is a closing event with a banquet. See you there? Exhibition times until 28 September 11:00 – 18:00hrs Greatorex Street, 10 Greatorex Street. London E1 5NF You can also find a special screenprinted edition of my flag at Nelly Duff Gallery on Columbia Road. The exhibition features: –Rare posters from two of the UK’s largest private protest art collections –Environmental installations and immersive soundscapes –Original works by The Paddington Printshop, the radical voice of 1980s London –Work from artists and collectives including Kennard Phillipps, Ackroyd & Harvey, Ocean Rebellion, Alexis Bamforth, Jo Barnfield, Ruth Beale, Dave Bell, Mr. Bingo, Blacklodge, Sarah Boris, Anthony Burrill, Kristian Buus, Weyi Chen, Elly Clarke, Michael Collins, Paul Davis, Matt Frame, Miles Glyn, Jonny Hannah, Joe Hesketh, Magnus Irving, Krime, Colum Leith, Rada Lewis, Daniel Lismore, Richard Mackness, Brian McHenry, Pig Meat, John Newling, John Phillips, Aidan Saunders, Stuart Semple, Frank Riot, Clive Russell, Wankers of the World, Merny Wernz, Phil Wrigglesworth and many more. Thank you @thisaintrock for including my work in the exhibition. Image featured above is from an interview in the recently published @mttr.dnm catalogue. Thank you Bob, Jim and Ethan

DESIGN IN SERVICE TO THE MOVEMENT - This past Saturday, 400 beautifully crafted placards, designed by the @hardart.collective and @houseofhackney , were donated to the @restorenaturenow March. Emerging from the enchanting Garden of Tomorrow Festival, Hard Art and @houseofhackney brought our collective adoration for William Morris and Company to the streets. Morris, a visionary 170 years ahead of his time, foresaw the grave consequences of unchecked industrialization: “When our green fields and clear waters, nay the very air we breathe, are turned... to dirt... let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die – choked by filth.” If he were alive today, he would undoubtedly stand shoulder to shoulder with environmental protesters, urging us to embrace our duty to restore and cherish the natural world. It is our generation’s sacred responsibility to heal the earth, ensuring that the beauty and vitality of nature are preserved for future generations. Special thanks to @xrebellionuk for logistical support. 📸: @mariejacquemn

How can creatives use their strengths to inspire change and action for climate? 🌏✊ Clive Russell, the designer of the @extinctionrebellion graphic identity and @thisaintrock and Kris Keiller of @patagonia will be speaking at this #WDCD2024 breakout session where you’ll dive deep into how you can communicate complex ideas effectively—by crafting accessible narratives with impact. During this session, you will learn storytelling techniques and visualisation exercises backed by research, reflecting on the role of storytelling in social and environmental activism. @hellodymphie and @safi.graauw will guide you through an exploration on how creatives, activists, policymakers, and scientists can collaborate on a more just, diverse, and compelling future for environmentalism. Discover the power of creatives to shape the climate justice movement—registration for breakout sessions opens soon! If you have already purchased a #WDCD2024 ticket, you will have a chance to sign up as soon as registration opens. If you don’t have a ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Tap the link in our bio for tickets and more info!

🍃⚡️Join us at the Gardens for Tomorrow Festival in London this weekend! ⚡️🍃 Hard Art will be hosting two events to explore the theme of where creativity meets activism. 🗓️ Friday, June 14th - 10AM
The Future of Art: Panel Discussion 
Unearth the power of imagination and redefine nature in the arts. Join Hard Art and The Great Imagining as we delve into a future where art provokes action and stirs the soul. 🗓️ Saturday, June 15th - 3:30PM
Banner Making Workshop
Join Hard Art’s @dazeaghaji and Charlie Waterhouse in crafting banners and placards for the upcoming Restore Nature March. This session will start with a conversation on the history of protest art and how creativity can be our most potent weapon in fighting for the world we deserve. Check our stories for a link to tickets. If you would like a free ticket, send us a DM!

How do you brand the biggest climate movement of our time? Meet Clive Russell, the visionary behind the iconic @extinctionrebellion visual identity ✊ 🌎 Most of you will know the distinctive Extinction Rebellion look, but did you know that the movement’s graphic identity was designed in large part by Clive Russell of @ThisAintRock ? The unifying look of the Extinction Rebellion protests around the world over helped to galvanise a movement and to firmly establish the climate crisis as a pressing issue for everybody—no exceptions. Clive Russell is a designer led by conscience and action: beyond being behind the Extinction Rebellion identity, he founded the @museum.of.care from the @davidgraeber.institute and @oceanrebellion . Join us at #WDCD2024 @Muziekgebouw to hear Clive speak on the role of design and designers in activism, care and climate justice—will we see you there? Visit the 🔗 in our bio to grab your ticket and learn more about the event programme.

Hard Art presents The Work We Need To Do, A Manual For Our Time. This zine reflects on what we need to do to create a future worth our efforts. Words by Hard Art’s @alexnarratives , @alannavision and Charlie of @thisaintrock Illustrated by @jeremydeller Get your copy on @metalabel__ , Link in Bio

The mantra of There Is No Alternative has held neoliberal society in its thrall for the last 50 years, yet it is so obviously utter nonsense. Join the @brixtonproject , @robhopkins5085 and Transition Town Brixton for an exploration of Spaces of Hope. @3spaceorg International House Friday 26 April 18:30

The very first Metalabel release has landed! The Dark Forest Anthology of The Internet. And like a tarot pack the book reveals the truths we need to read! 🌚🌳