We are so excited to represent Lead-Up International as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2023!

Together with Ecosystems Coldharbour and Art House Project, we will be working to promote a positive sense of community and non-violence through art.

To achieve this we are bringing together muralists John Serna, ‘Chota 13’ from Medellin, Colombia, and Denilson Larios, ‘Moreno’ from Guatemala, with UK artists ‘Bread Bunny’, ‘Apparan’ and Jhemar Jonas, to support their common goal of spreading the message of non-violence, hope and unity through art.

This special initiative seeks to highlight the important role that art can play in initiatives for social transformation as well as for personal healing. Denilson, our Lead-Up Guatemala youth ambassador and Jhemar Jonas, our Lead-Up UK Youth Ambassador share more than a title and love for art: both of them have lost a brother to gang violence and both of them have chosen to promote non-violence and social transformation as a result of it.

Chota is a renowned Colombian artivist, muralists and one of the initial inspirations for Denilson’s work in Guatemala. As he grew up in the midst gang violence in Comuna 13, in Medellin, Colombia, Chota vowed to find another way to get through the harsh reality that surrounded him and began painting murals with his friends. Through that initiative, Comuna 13 has transformed into a colourful mountainside of murals, an international example for the transformative power of art. These days, thousands of tourists, from all over the world visit Comuna 13 every day to witness the art and transformation that has been taking place over the last 15 years.

Through the visit we hope to inspire more youths with the message of non-violence and to give Denilson, Jhemar and Chota a space to share their stories and messages of hope and resilience.