A Billion Hugs

UPLIFTING LIVES AROUND THE CAPITAL…. BRITAIN’S FIRST MOBILE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION FOCUSING ON MENTAL-WELLNESS APPEARS ON LONDON BUSES

A desire to help people dealing with unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression, and for them to receive a visual hug when they need it most, prompted artist, Lisa Sharpe, to launch ‘A Billion Hugs’ on London’s iconic Routemaster buses.

“It’s been an unstable time for us all over the last few years and I wanted to reach out to those who are struggling right now, to remind them to believe in themselves – so they feel more loved and connected – to know that they matter.”

Considered to be the first ever mobile public art installation that focuses on mental-wellbeing, Lisa has used 25 London buses as her canvas to share positive, uplifting messages with Londoners and visitors to the Capital.

The inspiration came to Lisa 16 ½ years ago, when having been signed off work due to burnout, she was leaving her job at a London Art Gallery for the last time when she saw a bus advertising a horror movie and as she felt that low, dark, negative energy she thought: “How depressing! Wouldn’t it be so much nicer to see something more uplifting, something more joyful, something like ‘I Believe in You’ to remind people to believe in themselves…”

It was there and then, that she decided she was going to make a difference to people’s lives and that rather than spreading fear and sadness, that one day she would send out buses all around London spreading love and good energy – reminding people they are loved and that they matter.

Now, many years later, at a time when the world needs more love, hope, optimism, Lisa is taking on those very horror movies with this uplifting public art installation. With so many people struggling with their mental health right now – this is a welcome tonic to make people feel more connected and uplifted.

“We never know what someone else is going through… and it’s my intention that ‘A Billion Hugs’ will uplift people as the buses move around London - giving someone a visual hug when they need it the most,”