Cease & Resist

About

Subvertising is the practice of making spoofs or parodies of corporate and political advertisements. ‘Cease & Resist’ explores a range of topics through various means, including fake products, installations, sculptures, prints and comic political satirical aesthetics - All of which aim to raise awareness and provoke thought to more serious topics.

Pattern Up: Founded by members with personal experiences of criminal exploitation, Pattern Up is a dynamic collective that uses art to spotlight critical social and political issues. Originally focused on raising awareness about child exploitation in organised crime, their work has since expanded to tackle topics like drug addiction and the cost of living crisis. Employing a satirical tone, they make these heavy subjects more approachable and engaging. Their creative methods include street art, billboard hacking, and guerilla fly-posting campaigns, all aimed at sparking conversations and driving change.

Foka Wolf: Known for his sharp use of advertising language to highlight political and social issues, Foka Wolf has tackled subjects like the PPE crisis and food banks. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household fuels his passion to challenge those in power who demonize the vulnerable.

Often called the "Birmingham Banksy" (or as he humorously prefers, "Poundland Banksy"), Foka Wolf's fake billboards have captivated and fooled many. His work, blending humour with biting social commentary, underscores the power of words on paper.

Featuring alongside this exhibition are works from some of the biggest UK-based subvertising artists, including Foka Wolf, Wankers of The World, Dr D, Faux Flyers, Imbue, Comedian Joe Lycett along with US artists Shampooty & Obvious Plant, Irish artist Spice Bag and many more.

Collectively, the featured artists have garnered significant attention from a wide array of media outlets, thanks to their extensive geographical reach and impactful campaigns. Utilising thought-provoking and visually striking work has been the key to successful reach showcased in numerous cities around the world. This widespread presence has allowed them to effectively engage diverse audiences and bring critical social and political issues to the forefront on an international scale.