Blog: Meet the artists of Art is Freedom 2025 22 September 2025 Hestia’s annual art and photography exhibition, 'Art is Freedom' features work created by survivors of modern slavery. Survivors supported by Hestia's Modern Slavery Response Service take part in art, photography, crochet and spoken word workshops every summer, learning and refining their skills, before submitting their best pieces for the exhibition. The theme for this year’s Art is Freedom 2025 exhibition is: “Seen And Heard”. For the third year in a row, the theme was proposed by the members of Empowered Voices, a lived-experience forum open to outreach and safe-house service users supported by Hestia's Modern Slavery Response Service. The theme 'Seen and Heard' captures the need for social connection which is at the root of all human desire. It prompts artists to explore ways in which they have felt valued, acknowledged and understood - and ways in which they haven't - as survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery on their journeys to recovery. The theme allows survivor-artists to use their newfound voices to send the pubic a clear message: look at us, listen to our stories, and help us rebuild our lives. This year, we sat down with some of the artists to talk about their experience participating in Art is Freedom 2025. Modern slavery survivor-artists at curation day opposite Eleanor Lyons, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and Alison Logier, Director of Modern Slavery Survivor-artist, IF, said: "In [the] 10 weeks of joining the activities, I can say that it is one of the best activities ever that I joined. I enjoyed and learned a lot of things. I think it does help also to improve my mental health. The staff are really amazing. They are very friendly, helpful, and they are also incredibly supportive to each other. They always treated us as equal at all times, and they are always willing to listen and guide us. If I will get a chance to join again next time, I will definitely say yes, because it is not only for fun, but it can also relieve the stress, enhance creativity, improve skills. Additionally, it can also facilitate emotional expression, improve memory, concentration, and contribute to social bonding." Survivor-artist, EE said: "I've always enjoyed taking pictures using my phone. It started as a simple hobby, capturing everyday moments. But when I heard about Art is Freedom under Hestia, I didn't let the opportunity pass me by. The project awakened a deeper love for art within me. It gave me a peaceful outlet to express myself and help me navigate through emotional challenges. Art has become more than a hobby. It's a form of healing and self-discovery. Through it, I've found joy, purpose, and community. I primarily use my phone as it's the most accessible and familiar tool to me. Every line and shadow speaks to the ups and downs of striving for something better. My art is often inspired by hope, resilience, and the desire to rise above life's limitations." 'Sailing through life' by PA, modern slavery survivor-artist Survivor-artist, PA of 'Sailing through life' said: "Actually, art is, I think everything for me. For my lonely life, I feel like whenever I hold any acrylic paint or something, any canvas, I feel like actually it releases my stress. So, I think everyone should do painting whenever they're free, whenever they're in stress. It's really, I think, mental health therapy." This year, if you visit the Art is Freedom public exhibition, you'll be able to take a listen to the inspiration behind the art piece and a little bit about our modern slavery survivor stories. Here's 'Sailing through life' (above) by PA: Hestia1970 · Sailing through life by PA You may also be interested in… Art is Freedom Find out what's going on during Art is Freedom 2025 What's on Spot the signs View last year's Art is Freedom 2024 exhibition Spot the signs Donate Help support our modern slavery support work Donate Manage Cookie Preferences