Abu Dhabi: Do you know that when you bite into a slice of delicious organic Freedom Pizza, you are doing your bit to help local artists realise their dream?
Your contribution matters and that has been made possible after homegrown restaurant brand Freedom Pizza launched a project to showcase the works of UAE-based artists on its pizza boxes and social media, website and other brand channels.
“There is amazing talent in our communities. Our message to local photographers, designers, physical artists, painters, musicians, cartoonists, doodlers, movie makers, tattoo artists and dreamers is, let Freedom Pizza be your canvas,” said Ian Ohan, founder of Freedom Pizza. “We are inspired by the buzz of working with local artists who will have a new platform to present their work to the public.”
The Freedom Project
Back in 2015, when Ohan established Freedom Pizza, he met photographer Luke Garlick through an online promotion campaign. Ohan was impressed with Garlick’s project titled The Shadow People, which was a photographic exploration of human connectivity.
“When I met Luke we talked for hours. He shared The Shadow People with me and I immediately loved it. Its honesty was true to the honesty of our brand and a perfect fit for the inaugural Freedom Artists project.”
Garlick became the first artist to be featured in the project. “It was clear that there was something special about this company. Ian understood The Shadow People right away and asked if Freedom Pizza could support my project. It was a dream come true,” said Garlick.
Talking about his Shadow People project, Garlick said: “It is a photo series that shines a light on what people truly are: an inspiration to each other. Reality is not what you see behind a screen. It is talking to people – finding out who they really are. I sat down with people in Dubai and listened to their true stories, and not living life through my phone. People are fascinating with untold stories that they want to share. This was my inspiration for The Shadow People,” said Garlick.
Currently there are two ‘Freedom Artists in Residence’ working on a project.
“We have more in discussion phases and encourage any artist to contact us to work with us. We have no set frequency or time frame. Good ideas and cool people can come and stay as they may,” said Ohan.
The project which will soon be exhibited in an art gallery also features over 50 restaurant employees as its subject matter.
Freedom Pizza which was launched in 2015 boasts fresh and organic ingredients. All its vegetables and herbs are sourced from the Freedom Greenheart Organic Garden in Dubai. Its products are made using freshly harvested organic produce.
You can choose from salads, side dishes, pizzas and desserts which burst with freshness and flavour. It also serves vegan delicacies and gluten free pizzas and side dishes.
“With nine locations in the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and new stores in development, Freedom Pizza is about keeping its customers, its company and its community free – to share new ideas, love and great pizza,” said Ohan.
For more information visit www.freedompizza.com. Upcoming artists can email artists@freedompizza.ae to arrange interviews or request commentary.
The writer is a freelancer based in Abu Dhabi
