Big names sign up to cluck for a worthy cause
Sappi Southern Africa has come on board as the main sponsor for the third annual Chicken Challenge by commissioning eight well-known artists to participate; one for each of its eight decades of operations.
The Chicken Challenge is the brainchild of Mbombela-based artist Reinette Fourie. She was joined on the project by South African artist Karin Daymond and businesswoman Marlize Meyer in 2014 and since then, the challenge has maintained a base of loyal sponsors and the involvement of artists has grown exponentially.
This year there will be an array of local talent as well as artists from Argentina and Australia and more than 200 chickens on display.
Committee member, Caren Venter, said Sappi’s sponsorship has enabled the initiative to grow “even bigger and create even more awareness of the project and Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP)”, which performs an essential function by helping the most vulnerable in society.
“With the interest in the canvases, the calibre of artists and the support of local businesses, we are expecting great results for 2016,” Venter said.
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The Chicken Challenge is a community collaboration whereby 3D chicken “canvases” are sold for a nominal fee to sponsors, artists and people with a creative flair. The artists transform them into works of art and then donate them back to the Chicken Challenge exhibition, which runs from June 16 to July 11 at the White River Gallery. The official opening of the exhibition is at noon on Youth Day and coincides with the opening of online bidding. All proceeds of the auction go to GRIP to assist with funding.
Elsabe Coetzee, the regional communications manager for Sappi, said the Chicken Challenge is an extraordinary initiative and Sappi was proud to support the fund-raiser.
“The project speaks of partnerships and co-creation. It is a call for action for communities to be a part of something remarkable, be part of change,” she said.
The artists commissioned by Sappi are Ayanda Nkosi, Jo Roets, Rogerio de Andrade, Niki Daly, Anton Bosch, Margy Malan, Daymond and Ardmore Ceramics.
Visit chickenchallenge.co.za for online bidding details. For further information, email info@chickenchallenge.co.za or contact Fourie on 083-312-9012.
