What started as a lockdown moment between father and son is now being projected across the world as a ‘thank you’ to keyworkers – and it’s coming to Wycombe on Thursday.

Internationally renowned British artist and Bucks New University graduate Ian Berry will be projecting his #iclapfor animation - which celebrates frontline workers tackling Covid-19 - on to Bucks New University’s building on Queen Alexandra Road next Thursday (21 May) from 9-11pm.

Thursday’s projection is to honour the University’s nursing students and the care workers at Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust. As part of the project, Ian wants to know who you clap for - and it could be included in the final projection.

Ian said it was his six-year-old son who started the idea.

“Elliott was the catalyst as he loved the clapping on Thursdays and it was the highlight of his week,” he explained.

“He took the photos needed and sat with me as I made it, while he drew Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog. I worked into the night and he often woke up angry that I hadn't finish it!

“It was also his idea to put it on to the projector and soon, it was beamed out of the window.”

Since then the ‘Clapping Hands’ animation featuring Ian’s denim artwork is being shown both nationally and internationally, raising funds as well as awareness for frontline workers.

“This has taken over my life at the moment,” said Ian.

“I wake in the night seeing my projection that has been sent to me from somewhere else in the world and then I’m wide awake. It’s reached Colombia, Brazil, Italy, Sweden and the States. Let's see where else.”

The projection, which will run for two-hours, will be visible for members of the public to see from the road outside the hospital, but please keep in mind social distancing rules of staying two-metres apart.

Ian is working with industry-renowned Projectionist, Ben Fender to make his artwork come to life in the hope that as many staff, patients, carers and relatives are able to see how much we all support their hard work during these challenging times.

Ian said: “I’ve got some great comments, especially when you ask the question ‘who do you clap for’? I know there is a small but passionate backlash about clapping, however, if you make it personal, no one can question me for clapping for family and friends.”

Leave your ‘pledge’ on the #iclapfor website and your message could appear on the animation.

Professor SriKartini Leet who heads the University’s School of Art, Design and Performance worked with Ian to set up Thursday event.

She said: ‘We’re really proud of Ian and I’m delighted that we’re ‘hosting’ his artwork. The amount of support we’ve had to make this event happen has been overwhelming.

“We really hope that local residents will join us at this special event so we can all show our collective thanks.”

• If you wish to donate to Ian’s chosen charities, please visit the #iclapfor website.

About Ian Berry

Ian, who graduated from Bucks New University in 2006 with a BA (Hons) Creative Advertising degree, started his career after a very simple observation.

Noticing a pile of old jeans and the contrasting shades of blue, Ian grabbed some scissors and glue and that decision has led to him being named a top 30 artist under 30 in the world and also named a top 50 most influential person in denim last year, along with Hailey Bieber and the Hadid sisters. He has shown his work around the world in Galleries, museums and Art fairs. He will soon unveil an installation in San Francisco which was postponed for the coronavirus.

Ian’s work is three dimensional - on first glance they look like blue toned photographs - but like with any good work of art it's when you get close that the magic is revealed. Even at touching distance, many viewers don't realise that they are looking at is many layers and shades, of sections of denim.

His success has caught many eyes and Ian has completed commissioned portraits for the likes of Debbie Harry, Jennifer Saunders, Giorgio Armani and Lapo Elkann and Brazilian model Giselle. But his most well-known was one made of another Brazilian, Ayrton Senna, using his family's jeans and in support of the institute in his name.