Artists target Wimbledon with graphic mock adverts over Barclays sponsorship

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The slogan reads: “From Gaza to global warming, we’re making a killing.” Another artwork by Anarcha Art, shows the hands of a tennis player and a banker with the caption “Partners in climate crime and genocide.” Kit Speedwell, a Brandalism activist, said: “Wimbledon’s cherished strawberries and cream image has been thoroughly sullied by its decision to partner with Barclays, the most toxic bank in Europe, while the bank continues to pour millions into the arms trade and fossil fuel companies driving climate chaos. “Wimbledon must stop providing cover for Barclays’ grotesque lack of morals and immediately end the sponsorship deal.” Joanna Warrington from Fossil Free London added: “Wimbledon, our national treasure, can do so much better than Barclays, which is hijacking the tournament’s sustainability efforts to hide its multitude of sins. It’s time for Barclays to stop leeching off Wimbledon.” A spokesperson for the All England Club told The Independent, “Barclays is an important partner of ours and we are working closely with them in a number of areas, including through our Set for Success programme, which is helping to support disadvantaged secondary students in schools across the UK.” A spokesperson from Barclays said: “We are proud of our partnership with Wimbledon. Artwork by Matt Bonner and installed by Brandalism protesting Wimbledon’s partnership with Barclays The campaigners wrote: “Barclays is financing and profiting from climate chaos, and accepting a sponsorship deal from them is an endorsement of these actions.” The signatories also said Wimbledon’s partnership was not “consistent” with the Grand Slam event’s environmental policies.