Throughout history, humans have told stories through art. Visual stories immortalise culture, tradition, and heritage. They are the windows to another world, bridging a gap and helping us to understand a different way of life.
Today, borders can often feel like barriers. But art prevails as the universal dialect that speaks through. “Art is universal. In a world that feels increasingly divided and hostile, creativity remains one of the few languages that transcends borders, politics, and belief systems,” says George Ripton, founder of creative agency, 13AM.
In celebration of creativity and with a mission to inspire global connection, 13AM launched Project 195. Gathering every national perspective onto a single platform, Project 195 is geared to become the first creative movement to represent artists from every country on the planet.
Creative diversity, globally
Founder Ripton has seen firsthand how it can be difficult to access opportunities as a creative, even from a relatively privileged starting point. As a result, he was motivated to spotlight underrepresented artists from across the world.
“Travelling made that contrast impossible to ignore. I encountered extraordinary creative talent in places the industry rarely looks. That raised a simple but powerful question: Why isn’t there a truly global platform that reflects this reality?” questioned Ripton. That question became the foundation of 13AM and Project 195.
The aim is to force attention on global creative diversity. “By doing something that had never been achieved before, we could create a platform powerful enough to open doors, attract partnerships, and ultimately generate more opportunities for the artists involved,” Ripton shares.
“Art allows us to see a more honest reflection of the world, not filtered through headlines or stereotypes. By representing all 195 countries, Project 195 aims to show the world as it actually is, diverse, complex, and deeply connected,” he continues.
Travel that leads to blue-sky thinking
Ripton started out as a graphic designer, working across a wide range of roles and projects, collaborating with brands such as Tottenham Hotspur, BBC Top Gear, McLaren, and the NBA, among many others. Alongside this, he worked internationally, across London, Dubai, and Southeast Asia, while building 13AM.
“Those experiences were hugely influential,” says Ripton. “Dubai, in particular, changed how I saw possibility. Being surrounded by people from every corner of the world, all driven by ambition and belief, showed me that limits are often self-imposed.”
13AM originally grew out of a community of freelance creatives, with an online print store and digital gallery to showcase their work. The challenge, Ripton tells us, was visibility. He explains, “We were already focused on supporting underrepresented creatives globally, but without scale or attention, impact is limited.” Project 195 emerged as the missing link.
The Project 195 mission
Project 195 is first and foremost about representation and opportunity. At the time of speaking with Ripton, the collection had almost 700 artworks from over 260 creatives, from 125 countries. “That range is intentional. We’re not interested in ticking boxes or limiting representation per country. If there’s talent, we’re open to it,” explains Ripton.
Once all 195 countries are represented, it is set to be the first truly global creative collection and community. From there, the ambition is to expand further and stage the first exhibition in history featuring art from every country on the planet, making it a genuine cultural landmark.
Ripton shares how there will be huge potential in brand partnerships, using 13AM’s global network to offer something no other creative platform can. “We want to develop creative academies, work with local communities and charities, and build sustainable creative ecosystems in different regions. The goal is for 13AM to become a leading global creative platform that consistently generates opportunities, education, and visibility for artists worldwide,” says Ripton.
Finding artists in the most remote or tightly controlled countries
The majority of the artists represented in Project 195 have been found through digital means. However, after two years of searching online, the team has been unable to find artists from certain countries.
For those final most challenging countries – whether that’s geographically or politically challenging – Ripton will travel there to meet the artists in person. As he explains, visiting the final artists is about far more than logistics; it’s about culture, context, and connection.
“Project 195 isn’t just an art project. It’s about people, places, and stories. Meeting artists in their own environments allows us to document that properly and create raw, authentic content that reflects the reality of these regions,” says Ripton.
Some of the remaining countries are extremely remote, with limited flights and infrastructure. Others are difficult to enter due to visa restrictions, diplomatic limitations, or tightly controlled travel policies. Then there are regions that come with safety concerns linked to political instability or conflict.
However, Ripton shares, “Those challenges are exactly why the project exists. If it were easy, it wouldn’t matter. The hardest-to-reach creatives are often the most overlooked, and they’re the reason we started this in the first place.”
STERNA will continue to follow Project 195 and Ripton on his journey to the final countries. Stay tuned for more.
