FRAMELESS joins forces with George the Poet and young people to transform iconic masterpieces into spoken word, increasing access to the arts

This summer, FRAMELESS, the UK’s largest immersive art experience, has teamed up with the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and London-born spoken word artist, poet and rapper, George the Poet (GTP) to launch Art of Expression – a pioneering initiative to make art more accessible and relevant to young people.

 

The collaboration comes in response to new research by FRAMELESS revealing that almost half (48%) of young people don’t agree that historical art is relevant to their modern lives and over a quarter think art galleries can be intimidating. 

 

To make art more meaningful and accessible to the next generation, FRAMELESS has commissioned George The Poet and members of the VRU’s Young People’s Action Group to create a series of original spoken word pieces that retell the story of some of the most famous artworks ever created. From Rembrandt’s The Storm on the Sea of Galilee to Hokusai’s The Great Wave or Munch’s The Scream, the reinterpretations aim to breathe new life into classic masterpieces, connecting them to the real-world challenges young people still face today, all of which will be available to hear in the FRAMELESS Galleries this summer.

Leading the charge, George the Poet has created a powerful spoken word response to Reflection on the Thames by John Atkinson Grimshaw, bridging the historical and the contemporary and reframing the artwork through the lens of modern London and the voices of its next generation.

George the Poet supported the VRU’s young people through their writing process in the form of an intimate spoken word workshop at FRAMELESS, helping them to create spoken word based on what they saw in the Galleries. The initiative and wider campaign aim to broaden their understanding of art – encouraging them to see it not only as spectators, but as creators.

The initiative will come together with an exclusive live performance of the spoken word pieces by George the Poet and young people from the VRU at FRAMELESS on 17th July and all pieces will be available for visitors to listen to via in-gallery QR codes and on the FRAMELESS website throughout the summer. 

 

George the Poet said: “It is a huge privilege to collaborate with Frameless on ‘Art of Expression’. Art’s ability to connect us across time is enhanced by the gallery’s breathtaking immersive style. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy an artwork than to literally sit in it, and am grateful for the chance to contribute to such an unforgettable experience.”

Tafari Clarke, member of the Young People’s Action Group at London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “I never thought art galleries were for me. But working with George and creating my own piece of spoken word completely changed that. Now I see that art can tell modern stories too- about the struggles we face and the weight of societal pressures. Our partnership with FRAMELESS is about connecting young Londoners with art, culture and spaces in a way that is both meaningful and relatable.”

According to the research, which surveyed 2,000 young people aged 13-25, while almost half (44%) of young people report not having visited a gallery in the past year, over 60% wish they had more opportunities to interact with art. When asked about barriers to engaging with art, 26% said galleries feel intimidating, 30% couldn’t relate art to their lives, and 36% would be more interested if their friends and family visited galleries more often.

When it comes to considering a career in the arts, 40% stated they did ‘not know where to start’ and one quarter of young people have written off a career in the arts because they were not exposed to it from a young age. 

Yet, the power of art for young people as a form of creative expression cannot be understated. Almost two thirds (64%) said learning how to create or interpret art could be beneficial to other areas of their lives.

Rosie O’Connor, lead curator at FRAMELESS, added: “At its core, FRAMELESS was created to make art accessible to all. Too often, art institutions come with unwritten rules and social barriers that leave young people feeling like they don’t belong. But FRAMELESS is about offering a place where anyone — no matter their background or experience — can walk in, feel something, and be inspired. By partnering with George the Poet and the Mayor’s VRU, we’re breaking down those barriers and showing that art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and connection”.

Lib Peck, Director of London’s VRU, said:”We have put the voice of young people at the forefront of our approach to tackling violence in London. 

“That means listening to young people about challenges they face in school, online and in our communities. It’s also why they are best placed to understand solutions and what works to keep young people safe and able to thrive in our city. 

“We’ve seen first-hand how arts can be a transformative outlet for young people to express themselves and find their voice and our partnership with FRAMELESS opens up new positive pathways for young Londoners to unlock a world of potential.”

The campaign follows the UK government’s announcement of a new bill to expand access to high-quality arts education for young people. 

FRAMELESS is also hosting a series of drop-in workshops throughout the summer, as part of their Summer of Expression campaign, where young people can create their own spoken word interpretations of the artworks, led by a selection of outstanding performers and artists from the world of spoken word.