Martin Firrell
Thanks Barbara!
2025
with Alight Media
Barbara Castle (1910-2002) as Che
Martin Firrell
British, born 1963
Martin Firrell is a British contemporary artist known for public artworks on billboards around the world. He uses the poster form to campaign for greater social equality. His bold and simple texts address LGBT+ equality, the women’s movement, feminism and gender equality; and universal human rights. The artist's aim is 'to make the world more humane'. Firrell's billboards often resemble advertising because he hijacks advertising's techniques to achieve artistic-activist ends. This co-opting of commercial techniques and his wholesale colonisation of advertising’s oldest and boldest medium - the billboard - makes Firrell one of the most apposite and significant artists of the 21st Century. ~ Dr Robert Shelton.


view wikipedia entry


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Equal Pay Act. Thanks Barbara Castle
2025
Digital billboards and posters
1080 x 1920px, 864 x 432px, RGB colour
UK-wide July 2025

Thanks Barbara!
celebrates 50 years of revolutionary equality legislation championed by one woman: Barbara Castle.

As Secretary of State for Employment 1968-70, Barbara brought the Equal Pay Act into force 50 years ago this year, making it illegal to pay women less than men for the same work. Her political courage lay the groundwork for a more equal society.

But 50 years on, women still earn less than men. What can society do to build on Barbara Castle's legacy and create a genuinely gender-equal society?


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Child Benefit. Thanks Barbara Castle
2025
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Child Benefit Act, introduced by Barbara Castle when she was Secretary of State for Social Services 1974-76.

Unlike the previous Family Allowance, the new benefit began with families' first child and Barbara ensured the money was paid directly to mothers.

Barbara faced and overcame opposition from unions whose male members received less take-home pay now that mothers received the new benefit.

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Women's Lib 1975. Thanks Barbara Castle
2025
The Sex Discrimation Act 1975 was the third equality law championed by Barbara Castle. The new law made it illegal to discriminate against women in any way on the basis of sex.

50 years ago this year, Barbara Castle effectively created the legal framework for what was then known as
Women's Liberation.

Reflecting on the struggle for equality she said, "Sometimes if your government won’t do the right thing you have to be prepared to force them."
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Brought to Light
is an annual series of public art billboards and posters, commissioned by Alight Media, highlighting lesser-known stories of social value.

Original photograph of Barbara Castle courtesy of the European Union © EU 1984



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view more works by Martin Firrell
selected by Studio Head Grace Onyango-Bell


All artworks courtesy of the artist. Copyright Martin Firrell 1996-present. Website copyright Martin Firrell Company Ltd. Registered in England and Wales no.7337269.