Liberate: The Phineas Art Gallery launch – A space for stories, visibility and change
Eda, your Equity and Inclusion Officer, shares her reflections on Liberate: The Phineas Art Gallery.
Thursday 27 February 2025 marked the official launch of Liberate: The Phineas Art Gallery, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have created together. This project has been a key part of my work as the Equity and Inclusion Officer, and seeing it come to life was a truly special moment.
The vision behind Liberate
Art has always been a powerful tool for storytelling, resistance and change. Yet, access to exhibition space remains a huge barrier for many artists, especially those from marginalised backgrounds. In a city like London, where creative opportunities often come with financial and institutional hurdles, it can be incredibly difficult for emerging artists to find spaces to showcase their work.
This is why Liberate: The Phineas Art Gallery was created - to provide a dedicated platform for celebrating marginalised voices at UCL. It’s not just about displaying art; it’s about ensuring that underrepresented voices have a space to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This gallery aims to challenge dominant narratives, amplify diverse perspectives and spark meaningful conversations through creativity.
It’s not just about displaying art; it’s about ensuring that underrepresented voices have a space to be seen, heard, and celebrated
Additionally, with the launch and expansion of our Inclusive Arts programme within artsUCL, this was the perfect time to work on a large scale project like Liberate. Inclusive Arts should not be limited to the events that we host and the shows that we put out there, but rather something we can connect with while grabbing drinks with our friends on a causal Wednesday evening, or finishing up our assignments at Phineas during the day. The top goal for this project was for it to be accessible for all!
A night to remember
The launch event brought together students, artists, and supporters from across UCL, all keen to experience the incredible work on display. The exhibition features pieces created by students from UCL’s networks, including People of Colour, LGBTQ+, Trans, Women’s, and Disabled Students. Each artwork is a reflection of personal experiences, cultural narratives and artistic expression, making the gallery not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful.
Each artwork is a reflection of personal experiences, cultural narratives and artistic expression
Walking through the exhibition, I saw attendees pausing in front of pieces, discussing their interpretations, and even having conversations with the artists themselves. It was a reminder of why art is such a powerful tool.
A collaborative effort
Bringing Liberate to life was a team effort, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible:
🎨 The student artists who entrusted us with their work and shared their powerful perspectives.
📣 The student officers - Danilo, Anji, Elisa, Amanda, Rawleka, Sharvari, and Ashley - who helped curate the exhibition and ensure a diverse range of voices were represented.
💡 The Union staff across Arts, Representation, Commercial, Comms & Marketing, and Facilities, who supported this project every step of the way.
This exhibition would not have been possible without the contributions of so many individuals, and I am beyond grateful for the passion and dedication that went into making it a reality.
Looking ahead
This is just the beginning. Liberate: The Phineas Art Gallery will continue to showcase student artistry throughout the year, with exhibitions aligned with key liberation months. My hope is that Liberate will grow into something even bigger as a space that continues to elevate underrepresented voices and foster an inclusive creative community at UCL.
If you are a student artist looking for a platform to share your work, I encourage you to get involved. This space was created for you.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported and believed in this project. Let’s continue making space for art that not only challenges and inspires, but drives change.