Kieran’s Black Lives Matter artwork on its way to Westminster
A drawing created by a Lochwinnoch artist supporting the Black Lives Matter movement is being displayed in parliament.
Kieran McKenzie, 20, organised an auction in a bid to raise awareness and funds in the fight against racism by selling off the black and white illustration.
The piece, which was sold to an anonymous bidder for £600, is now on its way to Westminster where it is set to be displayed.
The money raised has been divided between various campaigns and protesters’bail funds across America, and to both the Black Lives Matter Global Network and CRER (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights) - a Glasgow based racial justice charity.
Kieran said:“I was truly disgusted and angered by the recent George Floyd video and similar stories of injustice that appeared across social media.
“I’ve never been one for speaking out much, however, I realised that with this issue the more people talking about it the better.
“After all, if everyone stayed quiet the necessary changes would never come.
“Artists and content creators on Instagram have been finding ways to raise money for the Black Lives Matter movement and I loved the idea of using my passion for making art to help the cause.
“The original drawing was auctioned on my Instagram account stating that the entirety of the highest bid would be donated to helping the movement.”
Kieran said he was overwhelmed by the response from the local community, who helped raise the final total.
He added:“The response I received was amazing and I couldn’t believe the generosity of the bids coming in.
“I’m so grateful for everyone that participated and shared the post, making these donations possible.
“I hope that the money raised can help those that are risking themselves and working for the change that we want to see.”
The anonymous bidder got in touch with Councillor Paul O’Kane, Scottish Labour candidate for Renfrewshire South, after winning the artwork in the auction.
They told Councillor O’Kane that they felt the artwork was too important just to remain in their house so asked him to reach out to his political network and have it displayed in the Houses of Parliament.
It is now set to be displayed in Labour leader Keir Starmer MP’s office in London.
Councillor O’Kane said:“I am supporting the anonymous Lochwinnoch donor to have Kieran’s artwork displayed in the Houses of Parliament as a reminder to our politicians of the strength of feeling on the issue and to continue to raise awareness in the UK and across the world.
“I have arranged to have the artwork sent this week to Keir Starmer MP and look forward to seeing it in his office at Westminster.”