Fellow artists:
I have been planning a series of exhibitions for several years and now I would like to tell you, my colleagues, about the project.
The idea began while visiting Vietnam in 2003 where I witnessed the devastating impact that unexploded weapons have on a local population, ensuring that a war long over can to live on for decades.
This troubling realization inspired me to try to help change this reality and I am offering the "Fragments" collection of sculpture for sale, with 75% to 80% percent of the sale price to fund landmine clearance.
"Fragments" were original inspired by the archaeological remnants of sculptures that I saw in museums and like those ancient remains, "Fragments" speak of the tragic nature within us, and the continuous cycles of war that makes up our history.
These sculptures have remained hidden in my studio for many years as I considered that they lacked authenticity and remained unfinished. Only in witnessing the tragedy caused by landmines did I realize that these works of art had a purpose, and they were to push my sculpture past social commentary, for they could actually work to change this terrible reality on a practical and tangible level.
Through "Fragments" we have begun to make a difference, and I am presenting this body of sculpture in order to continue to manifest this difference. Since July of this year, "Fragments" have been removing unexploded weapons in Vietnam as well as having mapped a minefield in Angola.
The campaign continues at;
The Canterbury Festival October 13-25
Chapter House, Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury, Kent CT1 2EE
And again in November 1-17
The Fragments Exhibition
Royal Opera Arcade
5 Pall Mall
London SW1Y 4UY
England
Along with finding this purpose for my art, a group of artists have helped me to create a website ( www.motive-art.org ) for artists who want to help victims of war, poverty and disease by raising money for charities supporting the victims of human injustice. The site will feature artists who wish to donate their work or time to charitable projects.
For centuries, artists have used their work to make political and social statements. We believe this is not enough.
We want to turn talk and art into positive action.
Our aim is simple but huge.
We want artists to help create a better world.
The "Fragments" collection represent 20 sculptures created over the last decade, and now having found their meaning, they will fund The No More Landmines Trust in order to continue their mine clearance work across the developing world.
We do not expect other artists to give away all their work. I felt that to launch Motive, I needed to make a dramatic gesture, we are only asking you to help where you can and to assist the charity that is close to your heart.
Motive would like to help you where we can.
Motive invites artists to visit the website, register and get involved with the debate on how artists can change the world for the better.
Motive. art for life's sake.
Please join us. www.motive-art.org"
VERSION 2 Press Release by BWW
A sculpture exhibition with a difference is set to open in London - the artist who's spent the past decade putting it together is now giving it away. Canadian-born sculptor Blake is donating the proceeds of his UK debut show to a landmine charity.
Fragments, a collection of 20 quarter life-size bronzes, is being sold to raise funds for mine clearance by The No More Landmines Trust when it opens in London, from November 1-17 at The Galleria, 5 Pall Mall.
The shocking, yet strangely beautiful sculptures, have been donated by the artist as a result of his experiences in Vietnam where he witnessed the on-going tragedy of landmines. It is believed there are up to 100 million landmines in the ground in one-third of the world's nations, killing or maiming 15,000 to 20,000 innocent civilians every year and affecting millions more with the threat of their presence.
The exhibition's broken bodies tell of the tragedy of war, original inspired by the archaeological remnants "Fragments" speak of the tragic nature within us, and the continuous cycles of war that makes up our history.
This inspired me to try to help change this reality and I am offering the "Fragments" collection of sculpture for sale, with 75 percent of the sale price to fund landmine clearance.
Only in witnessing the tragedy caused by landmines did I realize that these works of art had a purpose, and they were to push my sculpture past social commentary into action. This work offers hope as it strives to change this terrible legacy
"Through Fragments we have begun to make a difference. Since July of this year, Fragments have been removing unexploded weapons in Vietnam as well as having mapped a minefield in Angola."
Entry to the Pall Mall exhibition is free. In 2008, the Fragments collection moves on to New York.
The Canterbury Festival October 13-25
Chapter House, Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury, Kent CT1 2EE
November 1-17
The Fragments Exhibition
Royal Opera Arcade
5 Pall Mall
London SW1Y 4UY
England
Contact
Randall Kehrig or Becky Maynard Motive-art UK
c/o No More Landmines
4th Floor, Charles House
375 Kensington High Street
London, W14 8QH
Telephone: +44 (0) 7957181221
Email: Randall@motive-art.org
Art for good
This web site recognizes and showcases the work of artists who donate their work to benefit registered charities. If you know of an artist who you believe should be featured on this site, please email us with a short summary (250 words) followed by written biography of the artist, several j-peg images of their work, a description of the charity including its registered address and registration number, and a link to their website where the artist is described. While we applaud all artists who use their talent to benefit charities, we showcase artists who donate at least 30% of the proceeds from the sale of an item to a registered charity. We encourage all visitors to this site to support the artists listed here. For more information on how to register as a featured artist or to purchase Motive-art, please contact Randall by email on randall[at]motive-art.org.