AN art installation by Haslemere Young People’s Exhibition group (HYPE) inspired by Holocaust survivor Gad Beck went on show in London, on Wedesday, to mark the 71st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.

HYPE was singled out in October as one of 12 groups across the UK to take part in the project.

The group commemorated the life of resistance fighter Gad Beck, who although both Jewish and homosexual and therefore facing double jeopardy under the Nazi regime, survived the Second World War and continued to fight against discrimination throughout his life.

Their exhibit features animated negative “word clouds” that travel through a flame which represents education and resistance to emerge as positives. The story of Gad Beck is narrated and interspersed with images and actions and emphasises the positives that come from resisting discrimination and educating against it.

Museum education officer Kay Topping, who led the project, said: “We wanted to create a physical installation rather than just a film as, being based in a museum, we are very aware of the power of objects and felt an installation would be more powerful than just the film.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important focal point in the year and we are delighted to have been chosen to be part of this nationwide commemoration.

“It is vital we remember and reflect upon the horrors of the past, and honour those who survived, and those who showed great bravery in the face of adversity. Remembrance and education are vital to try and prevent similar events happening again.”

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the charity responsible for marking the anniversary in the UK, commissioned 12 groups from different regions of the UK to create artworks that share the stories of inspirational people who took a stand against hatred, persecution or genocide to mark the 2016 event.

The ‘Don’t Stand By’ exhibition at The Imperial War Museum was displayed to an invited audience including Holocaust and genocide survivors.

The artworks were also be displayed on big screens in city centres across the UK including Bradford, Bristol, Belfast, Chatham, Greenwich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Southend, Swansea and Waltham Forest.

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust chief executive Olivia Marks-Woldman said: “I want to thank and congratulate the HYPE team for their hard work in creating this artwork, which is a fitting tribute to Gad Beck, helping to remind us all of our responsibilities not to stand by to hatred and persecution.”