Rosie Strickland

Four women dismantled a VW Golf TDI diesel car outside London's Victoria and Albert Museum as part of an unsanctioned fringe exhibition to target VW.

The car manufacturer, who famously cheated emissions tests to hide the true environmental impact of diesel cars, was sponsoring the V&As new futuristic exhibition, 'The Future Starts Here'. We took this as an opportunity to highlight the future of VW's diesel cars by taking a vehicle to pieces, drawing attention to the most polluting components. This was inspired by the ‘car deconstruction’ works of the artist Dina Rončević. The four female mechanics were in stark contrast to the male-dominated car industry.

I led on the design and concepting for this direct action against VW at the V&A. I designed the concept, posters and other print media for distribution on site.

I also performed as a mechanic on the day, and provided technical and design consultation for the action logistics.

Images Chris J Ratcliffe / Greenpeace

Illustrations by Blackcurrent