The Bird of Liberation, Spirit and Harmony flies over Brighton

Brighton artist Gary Goodman was inspired to create a new piece of work around the principles of liberty, freedom and democracy when he heard that Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese leader, human rights advocate and Nobel Peace laureate was to be the Guest Director of the Brighton Festival 2011.

Taking her plea to ‘use your liberty to promote ours’, Gary has co-created with Artizan Editions, an original screenprint which features a colourful bird and reflects the themes of liberty and freedom. The dove, for instance, has historically been used as a symbol of peace and freedom. Pablo Picasso said that his father had taught him to paint doves, concluding, “I stand for life against death; I stand for peace against war”. Picasso's lithograph ‘La Colombe’ (the dove) was chosen as the emblem for the World Peace Congress in 1949. Another bird, the swallow, is known as ‘the bird of freedom’, which is derived from its Hebrew name ‘deror’. One of the chief characteristics of the swallow is that it cannot endure captivity. Gary's new print has drawn on these symbols to create a mythical bird using a colour palate with influences from Brighton and Burma.

“I saw Aung San Suu Kyi on TV and in the paper”, said Gary. “Later I read her words of freedom and peace. I wanted to make an image especially for the Brighton Festival. Artizan Editions and I worked on many options to create an original screenprint using colours of celebration. What emerged was a bird of liberation, spirit and harmony, saying ‘hello’ as it flies over Brighton.”

Created in a limited edition of only 65 screenprints (reflecting Aung San Suu Kyi's age), ‘Freebird’ is an image which it is hoped will raise both awareness and funds for the Burma Campaign UK. For further details of how to purchase the print see Freebird on this website.