Odee is an Icelandic artist, author of âWeâre Sorryâ â a conceptual performance artwork that includes a website and a mural in the Reykjavik Art Museum. It is a poetic apology on behalf of Samherji, an Iceland-based multinational corporation, for their involvement in corruption and bribery scandals in Namibia. The website is a masterful impersonation of Samherji that, by borrowing its identity, brings the discussion to the level where the corporation cannot simply ignore it. As referred to by the artist Alice Wang, the artwork is a âshape-shifting social sculpture that is continually evolving in real timeâ.
Currently another chapter unfolds at the High Court in London, following the lawsuit brought against Odee by Samherji alleging intellectual property violations. The website was taken down according to an interim injunction in May 2023, but the litigation is ongoing.
AGL supports Odee in these proceedings, aiming to build the defense around artistâs freedom of expression at its undeniable importance when it comes to contributing to the debates of public interest.
We are grateful for the support of
- Ms Rachel Stalker and her Legal Advice Centre of the School of Law, Liverpool John Moores University
- Mr Shyam Popat and Advocate, the pro bono charity,
- Mr Michael Gardner and Wedlake Bell law firm.
