INSPIRING PROJECT: Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Kate Bush Unite for a Global Art Collaboration Supporting War Child
LONDON, ENGLAND — In a stunning act of creative compassion, Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA and Kate Bush, one of Britain’s most enigmatic and visionary artists, have come together for a groundbreaking artistic project that merges music, memory, and mercy. The initiative brings together 52 visual artists from around the world, each tasked with reimagining a single, timeless lyric from Bush’s iconic 1985 hit “Running Up That Hill” — the haunting line, “If I only could, I’d make a deal with God.”
The project, titled “A Deal With Hope,” aims to raise funds and global awareness for War Child, the international charity that provides support and protection to children affected by war and conflict.
For both women, the collaboration represents more than a creative endeavor — it is a deeply personal act of empathy. Speaking at the project’s London launch, Anni-Frid Lyngstad reflected on the power of art to transcend suffering. “It’s about giving hope where music once gave escape,” she said softly, her words met with quiet applause. “When we cannot change the world overnight, we can still touch hearts — one song, one brushstroke at a time.”
Each of the 52 artists has created a unique interpretation of that lyric, transforming its meaning through painting, sculpture, digital design, and mixed media. From abstract representations of prayer and human connection to portraits of resilience inspired by children’s drawings from war zones, the exhibition captures a profound intersection of vulnerability and strength.
Kate Bush, known for her poetic lyricism and emotional depth, described the project as “a circle of creation — artists responding to a song that was itself born from longing and understanding.” She added, “The lyric has traveled through generations, and now, through this project, it travels into hearts that need healing.”
The exhibition will tour Stockholm, London, Berlin, and New York before its works are auctioned, with all proceeds directed toward War Child’s programs in education, trauma recovery, and child protection. In addition to the visual artworks, a companion digital album is also in development, featuring reinterpretations of “Running Up That Hill” by a new generation of female musicians — all personally selected by Bush and Lyngstad.
This collaboration marks a rare public appearance for Anni-Frid Lyngstad, whose philanthropic commitments in recent years have often focused on environmental and humanitarian causes. Yet, as she explained, this particular project carries a special resonance: “When Kate called, I didn’t hesitate. Her song has always meant something to me — it speaks of courage, of reaching beyond limits. Now, those words are reaching children who need to know they are not forgotten.”
Critics and fans alike have already hailed the partnership as a landmark fusion of music and activism. Art historian Elena Marenko described it as “a convergence of two artistic souls who understand that true beauty lies not in perfection, but in compassion.”
The choice of lyric could not be more fitting. Since its release, “Running Up That Hill” has been interpreted as an anthem of empathy — a plea to exchange places, to understand another’s struggle. In a world scarred by conflict, that message feels more urgent than ever.
As the first preview images of the exhibition were unveiled, one could sense that this was not just an art show, but a prayer — painted, sung, and shared.
“If art cannot stop a war,” Anni-Frid concluded, “then let it heal one heart at a time.”
With those words, the two legends reminded the world of what they have always embodied — the belief that music and art, when born of love, can become light in even the darkest places.
A fusion of melody, memory, and mercy, “A Deal With Hope” stands as a testament to what happens when two of music’s most extraordinary women use their gifts not to glorify fame, but to serve humanity — proving once again that true art sings loudest when it sings for others.