Freedom Watermelons were conceived as an AI-generated digital artwork initiative in support of humanitarian efforts in Gaza and towards judiciary costs for those arrested in Berlin for protesting against the atrocities committed against Palestinians by Cibelle Cavalli Bastos.

The hidden messages in the watermelons speak of censorship, both on social media and throughout Germany, where the artist is based. By generating images that are deliberately designed with embedded AI illusion text the words are able circumvent algorithmic identification.

During the Nakba of 2023, the recognition of the watermelon as a symbol for Palestinian resistance grew immensely. Naturally incorporating the colours of the Palestinian flag, the watermelon has also come to represent tireless Palestinian creativity in the struggle for freedom.

While Israel continued killing, maiming and displacing Palestinians, the German authorities began a campaign to ban certain phrases associated with Palestinian liberation. Cease Fire Now remains one of few sentiments still allowed.

Cibelle Cavalli Bastos (b. 1978, São Paulo, Brazil) is a non-binary, artist based in Berlin. Cibelle’s practice is a continuous reflection on the reuse of materials and data that channel psycho-cognitive perception through examination and transformation from positions of the in-between. Cibelle graduated from the Royal College of Art, London in 2015. Select performances and exhibitions include at KW Institute for Contemporary Art and Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin; ICA, London; MASP, São Paulo; and at Carnegie Hall New York. They are also known as "Cibelle" under which they have released four music albums worldwide.

10% of the proceeds from the sale of this poster will go towards supporting the European Legal Support Center (ELSC), with 20% going to the artist and 70% towards Progressive International.

This is one of three limited edition posters in the first series of art editions curated by Ché Zara Blomfield for Progressive International.

• Limited Edition of 100
• Poster size: 50 x 70 cm 
• Giclée print quality
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mil)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper sourced from Japan

The artwork is sold unframed. The frame is not included.