Motive Success
A Call to all Artists
7 September 2007
In just the few months since its inception, Motive has been able to help "No More Landmines Trust" to remove ordinance from Vietnam and map minefields in Angola through the Fragments exhibition and the contribution of its members.
This month, Motive launches its revamped website (http://www.motive-art.org) with a call for artists to join the movement and donate their work or time to charitable projects. The site will be a resource for those who would like to see "Art for good" and lend their voices to the cause.
To further promote these efforts, Motive will be hosting an art competition on the website, open to anyone around the world. By addressing different themes throughout the year, Motive hopes to raise awareness and activity in a number of areas.
The sculptor Blake created this action group for artists who want to help victims of war, poverty and disease by raising money for charities supporting the victims of human injustice.
Blake himself is donating the entire Fragments collection of 100 sculptures to The No More Landmines Trust and their mine clearance work across the developing world. The proceeds from these sculptures have been removing landmines in Vietnam since July of this year.
He said: "For centuries, artists have used their work to make political and social statements. But we believe this is not enough. We want to turn talk into positive action. Our aim is simple but huge. We want artists to help create a better world."
Canadian-born Blake (http://www.blake.at) is a noted figurative sculptor who trained in Europe. His Fragments work was inspired by his frequent visits to Vietnam, where he saw first-hand the horrors created by landmines. Each piece has been created in clay then deliberately maimed before being cast in bronze.
"I have called the exhibition Fragments because that?s what landmines create. They shatter people's lives."
Blake stressed that he does not expect other artists to follow his lead by giving away their entire collection.
"To launch Motive, I had to make a dramatic gesture, but clearly many artists will not be able to do this."
The Fragments Exhibition will be showing at
The Canterbury Festival October 13-25
Chapter House, Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2EE England
And November 1-17
Royal Opera Arcade 5 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 4UY
For more information about Motive and its website, or to request an interview with Blake, please contact Randall Kehrig via email at 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.