WE ARE 'GIVE CROHN'S A SLAP FROM ME'

Challenging some of the world’s greatest Graffiti Artists, Street Artists and Illustrators to design a sticker to raise the awareness of Crohn's disease.

The Project
GCASFM is a collaborative arts project founded by Matt Strutt, to help raise awareness of Crohn’s disease. With the help of some of the world’s most prolific graffiti artists, street artists, graphic designers and illustrators GCASFM has the ambition to add a touch of colour and positivity to their efforts, in promoting IBD awareness. With one event under the belt, alongside some printed media coverage, we are looking to continue to slap Crohn's with a firm backhand and continue spreading the word!

The disease
Crohn's disease is an illness that affects around 1 in 1000 people. Caused by inflammation in the lining of the digestive system. Sufferers struggle on a daily basis, and are often on long-term medication, or in many cases will require some form of surgery, to manage the symptoms. These symptoms range from pain, diarrhoea, fatigue to weight loss and joint pains. At the moment there is no known cure, but raising awareness will help to prevent misdiagnosis and allow the general public to gain a better understanding of the condition. You can find out more at www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

The idea
The project started when Matt received a parcel from a friend in Los Angeles containing a stack of USPS postal labels. As a sticker collector and avid documenter of graffiti and street art in London, Matt had always been drawn to artwork on stickers, and the impact that these adhesive artworks have on their surroundings. After much deliberation about what to do with the labels, he decided to send them out to artists around the world, with the brief of designing a sticker (a slap!) to help raise awareness of Crohn’s disease, an illness Matt has personally battled with for 25 years.

The result
With the help of creative duo Aaron Darveniza and André Viegas (two fantastic graphic designers) the project has an exceptional brand identity and this ever evolving website portal, that will continue to offer our followers a fresh insight into the movements of GCASFM. The artist roster has grown, exceeding all expectations. With over 100 artists involved worldwide, the submissions will form an expansive archive of GCASFM’s work in raising awareness. The stickers to be used as content for a beautifully designed book, which is currently in the concept stage, as well as being the foundation of an exhibition the project looks to host. The project continues to probe all creative avenues, and with the help of the Mixcloud music sharing platform, GCASFM’s Hospital Radio page will keep delivering a vast selection of donated Dj mixes. GCASFM is always seeking out a new way to raise awareness, and don’t plan to rest on what has already been accomplished. With views to the curation of a global walls campaign, to expanding on a range of merchandise, the ball never stops moving. We look forward to taking you on this creative journey.

So, in the meantime keep a close eye on the website and via our Instagram feed, as we continue raising awareness in a unique and creative way.