Our Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption exhibition started in Bristol and has since made it up to Liverpool, Nottingham and as of this week - Leeds.

On Tuesday night, the conservatory of the infamous student hang out ‘The Faversham’  (located slap bang in the middle of Leeds University), prepared itself for what was to be a momentous night of live art from bestjoinedup, Mexican nibbles, and music courtesy of Andy H (New Bohemia); one of the best DJ’s in the postcode.

The art was hung from the ceiling, the fairy lights were turned on and the doors were opened for a night of thought-provoking art exploring the issue of Corruption.

So why is Ctrl.Alt.Shift so concerned with the theme/issue of Corruption?

Corruption is the misuse of a position of power for human gain, it harms the developing nations the most and continues to trap millions of people in poverty. It sadly remains on of the most serious obstacles to eradicating poverty. Corruption increases the cost of doing business, perpetuates poverty (said three times in this paragraph for effect!) and undermines democracy. It can’t be tackled until general awareness of its existence is raised, and there’s enough people applying political pressure to effect change, so that’s where we come in.

Like charity, corruption begins at home - and we feel it’s our job to expose the scandal.

Multinational companies avoid paying tax costing poor people US$160 billion a year. That could pay for the UN Millennium Development Goals four times over, and could save the lives of 350,000 children under five every year. You can join a campaign to stop tax dodging here!

William Burroughs once said, “Artists to my mind are the real architects of change” - this is not only proven by the comic strips but from bestjoinedup; a live art collective who have set up and organised live art events across the U.K. and Europe - the fantastic guys who set up and created these pieces on our Leeds comica night.

The latest issue of the magazine and the comic book (which you can purchase here!) were being snapped up like there was no tomorrow, with people staying to get stuck into the fanzines, ask questions about the movement, and soak up the creative atmosphere.

President of Leeds comic book club said, "It's thought-provoking and shocking stuff. It shows that a simple medium like the comic strip can be used to get people talking about issues like corruption." That is why the Ctrl.Alt.Shift comic exhibition has made for such a wonderful tour of the U.K.

If you still haven’t seen it, the exhibition is open everyday at The Faversham until the April 27.

Words and photos: Holly Davis