Luminaries ‘give it the finger’ to back anti-torture campaign

The artworks include the digits of 28 famous people and creator Joanna Brown says the idea cropped up in a conversation with five fellow fine arts masters students from the University of Leeds in 2007. The result is 28 bronze casts of the index fingers of significant creative figures of our time, and the works will be on display at The Royal Academy in London from September 15 to December 9.

Three editions of the 28 bronzes will be exhibited around the UK and auctioned online for charity and will include a display at Dean Clough in Halifax from September 15 to January 20 next year.

The cast fingers will be auctioned online at www.twentyeightfingers.org to raise money for art therapy at Freedom from Torture and The Art House in Wakefield.

Ms Brown said: “From God passing the spark of life to Adam on the ceiling at the Vatican to Nick Park moulding the features of Gromit, fingers have a particular resonance with creativity. I’m really thrilled by how the artistic work has matured over time.

“I realized how beneficial art therapy can be for processing and expressing aspects of life that are beyond words when my father was dying. And this made me want to support art therapy as a cause. I am also an activist and have met many people that have been tortured for their beliefs. In supporting Freedom from Torture I hope that many people will be able to taste and experience ‘freedom’ and peace.

“I am also pleased that the project will support The Art House in Wakefield which was chosen because they have been developing studios that are accessible for people with disabilities. I’m excited by holding the auctions online as they will be accessible to everyone. I think that the charities will be delighted by the amount raised.”

The www.twentyeightfingers.org website includes more about those involved.