This is the first comprehensive collection of murals focused on modern slavery and human trafficking. It brings together anti-slavery murals from across the world and demonstrates the emergence of an anti-slavery mural movement from the early 2000s to today. The collection depicts modern slavery in general, alongside more specific types, including forced sexual exploitation and forced labour. It demonstrates the power of art to build community activism and imagine freedom.
Creator: Charlotte James
Project Director: Professor Zoe Trodd
In 2017 the Dadaab Refugee Settlement provided various canvases and walls for artists who were refugees in the settlement to express themselves. At the time, Dadaab housed around 250,000 people and included people who were affected by the 2011 famine in Somalia. The large scale murals are the work…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa. The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa. The murals were created on or around 16th June…
This mural was shown to UNICEF Ambassador Angie Harmon by a youth leader while she was visiting Bluefields, Nicaragua. The mural was completed by local youth leaders, adolescents and students and highlights the issue of human trafficking.
In commemoration of Mambajao’s 160th founding anniversary on 6th July 2015, the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE 10) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) hosted a mural painting competition. The aim was to raise awareness of child slavery and modern slavery in an area that was frequented…
This 250 foot mural was completed as part of a fundraising project for the organisation Catch the Wave of Hope. Lynne Barletta, who founded the organisation, believes art is an important way to raise awareness of human trafficking. Each fish, reptile and mammal in the mural was sponsored and raised…
This mural was created in Sierra Leone by WHI (World Hope International) with FAAST (Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking). It highlights different types of slavery, including forced sexual exploitation and forced labour. The piece raises awareness of the vulnerability of migrant workers…
In 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) visited different areas of Colombia to educate children and young adults on how to recognise, report and prevent human trafficking. As part of this programme, children from various schools and communities created murals to show their…
In 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) visited different areas of Colombia to educate children and young adults on how to recognise, report and prevent human trafficking. As part of this program, children from various schools and communities created murals to show their…
In 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) visited different areas of Colombia to educate children and young adults on how to recognise, report and prevent human trafficking. As part of this program, children from various schools and communities created murals to show their…
In 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) visited different areas of Colombia to educate children and young adults on how to recognise, report and prevent human trafficking. As part of this program, children from various schools and communities created murals to show their…
The production of this mural was headed by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, who worked with the city government of Davao, Habitat for Humanity, Philippine Women's College and Davies Paints to bring the piece to life. Around 60 artists came together to create the mural along the walls of…
This mural was created by students of the Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School with those involved with the organisation Good Shepherd, which supports vulnerable women and children. In Cebu City, the organisation has a Welcome House that was established in 2007 and takes in women and…
This mural was created to make the ASTRA hotline number more widely known in Belgrade, Serbia. Marija Andjelkovic, who works for the anti-trafficking organisation, had the idea after she saw an empty wall. After much work with the city officials, the mural was created by Kraljica Vila (TKV).ASTRA…
This mural was created by Michael Cooper in 2017 and is situated on the wall of Thistle Farms Cafe, which is part of an organisation that helps survivors of human trafficking. Thistle Farms' mission is to Heal, Empower and Employ. They provide safe housing, economic independence and a strong…