This Pride, we teamed up with artist Ashton @attzs_ winner of the coveted Evening Standard Art Prize 2018, for an interview, competition and live in store activation.
Ash’s advice to aspiring artists would be to “take opportunities, pick what suits you. Be adventurous in what you want to do. Don’t feel you’re not good enough. Everyone starts somewhere.”
Attzs has created two limited edition artwork pieces for Gap, with all proceeds made from these being donated to AKT - a charity supporting LGBTQ+ homeless youths. Gap will also donate an additional £1000 to this worthwhile cause this Pride.
The concept of the design was taking ‘GAP’ quite literally. Attzs' artwork portrays a group of diverse LGBTQ+ people euphorically leaping across a rainbow gap. In a range of dynamic and energetic poses; they make their way across collectively. The artwork centres community and togetherness.
Ashton also brought the essence of Pride to life in our Gap Oxford Street store on 23rd June with fun, colourful illustrative stickers and by painting live in the store window display.
ABOUT THE CHARITY
AKT is the national LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity, providing safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people. Almost one quarter of all young people facing or experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, and 77% of those cite rejection or abuse from their families as what has led them to being so.
The charity was set up in Manchester in 1989 and has since opened its doors in London, Newcastle, and Bristol. AKT also offers a digital service to support young people across the country. In just over 30 years, they have provided more than 250,000 nights off the street and supported over 50,000 LGBTQ+ young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
