Free Willie, 2025
Black 4.0 (acrylic)
On Saunders Waterford paper
56 x 38 cm
Signed & numbered by Stuart Semple
Important: By purchasing this artwork you confirm that you are not part of the Disney Corporation, a member of the Disney Corporation, or in any way associated with the Disney Corporation. To the best of your knowledge, information, and belief, this original artwork will not make its way into the hands of the Disney Corporation.
About the work
Why Disney is banned from owning its own mouse.
These original paintings by Stuart Semple celebrate the long awaited liberation of the world’s most famous mouse.
For 95 years the original Steamboat Willie remained locked under corporate control after Disney lobbied repeatedly to extend copyright terms. The copyright has now finally expired, returning this early incarnation of the character to the public domain.
In recognition of this historic cultural moment, Stuart has created FREE WILLIE: a series of unique hand painted artworks that mark the return of shared creative ownership. This is a celebration of artistic freedom, public domain culture, and the end of corporate exclusivity.
Disney and its associates are strictly prohibited from acquiring any work in this series.
Materials & process
Each collector will receive a unique hand painted artwork.
No two are the same.
Painted using Black 4.0, the world’s blackest black acrylic developed by Stuart Semple with the help of artists across the world. The creation of Black 4.0 was part of an ongoing campaign against exclusivity in art materials, following Anish Kapoor’s attempt to monopolise Vantablack for his private use.
The work is painted on Saunders Waterford cotton paper, museum grade, archival, and hand signed.
About the artist
Stuart Semple b.1980 UK
Stuart Semple is a multidisciplinary British artist whose practice spans painting, performance, internet art, and installation. His works adopt a sociological lens to explore themes of youth politics, mass culture, image, technology, and anxiety. Often activist in nature, his broader projects frequently strive for fairness, equality, and access, particularly within the arts.
Semple has enjoyed numerous solo exhibitions worldwide and has presented projects at international institutions, including the Denver Art Museum, The Whitworth, Hong Kong Arts Center, and Dulwich Picture Gallery. He is the author of "Make Art or Die Trying," published by Quarto. Semple regularly speaks on art and mental health, with appearances at Oxford University, The Southbank Centre, Frieze, RCA, and the ICA
Authenticity & Rights
Every artwork is accompanied by an official Certificate of Liberation, signed and sealed by Stuart Semple.
This certificate confirms that the owner is granted full rights to display, reproduce, adapt, remix, or sell the work. Attribution is optional, though welcomed.
The single condition remains:
Disney and its affiliates are not permitted to own or benefit from this artwork.
Shipping & Delivery
Each piece is painted to order.
Please allow 2 to 3 weeks from purchase for creation and dispatch.
Shipping is included in the purchase price.
You will receive full tracking details once your artwork is on its way to you.