Artist goes above and beyond for upcoming auction
Guests will receive a welcome drink and be treated to canapés throughout.
HIGHWAY residents can now share a piece of their he’art’ by taking part in the #NotJustANumber art auction at Talloula in Botha’s Hill on Wednesday, 26 May from 6pm to 8pm.
Lauriana Glenny, a member of the Cityhill Church and a full-time professional artist, has a heart for those in need and, when she heard about the Above and Beyond initiative, she was inspired to offer what she was able to give: her ability to paint.
“I took on the task of painting up individual portraits in oil paint, of some of the beautiful people whose lives have been positively impacted by Nation Changers as a way to raise funds for this worthy cause,” she said.
With no access to art shops during the hard lockdown last year, Laurie looked around her studio and, once again, made use of what she had: a pile of sheets of mixed media art paper.
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To strengthen the paper pieces, she used a process of applying layers of gesso pithed through various stencils, some of them were letters or numbers and added an interesting texture to the surface while strengthening the card to provide a strong and sound foundation for the oil paints.
She then began to paint each beautifully detailed portrait, the symbolic significance of all the layering then began to dawn on her. The people on the forgotten fringes of society, with zero literacy skills who often felt like little more than a number in a third world country.
By the simple act of pushing these numbers and letters into the background through her paintbrushes and paints, she felt this was giving each person dignity and a sense of recognition and identity that went beyond how far each person could read of write. Each one of the images is available for auction.
“That’s how the title of this art auction was born,” she said.
The funds raised through this auction will help support the ongoing projects held by Nation Changers, a registered public benefit organisation and the outreach arm of the Cityhill Church in Hillcrest.
“Multiple projects exist to empower and uplift impoverished people in the surrounding communities,” said the Nation Changers head, Nadine Wright.
One said project is the construction of the above and Beyond Distribution/Development Centre in the hopes of impacting thousands through education, adult literacy classes and storage space for the many tons of food that is distributed regularly to help feed those in need.
Storage and retail space for The Clothing Box initiative, through which more than 122 entrepreneurs have been empowered to start their own businesses, has become increasingly essential,” said Wright.
The cost per ticket is R250 includes snacks and a welcome drink and a cash bar will be available. Book your spot online at www.nationchangers.co.za before Friday, 21 May.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
