Over $150,000 Raised to Help Find a Cure for Breast Cancer

In what was a first for a New Zealand art exhibition, the recent Art for a Cure reached a successful finale as all artworks were sold at an exciting auction event. A completely unique project that saw artists create a work inspired by a song, or particular lyric, by a New Zealand musician. In addition to these artworks was a collection of limited edition sculptures specially chosen or created for Art for a Cure. All proceeds, totalling over $150,000, are going to help find a cure for breast cancer within the next nine years, through Breast Cancer Research Trust and its groundbreaking research.

The free 10-day exhibition, held at Hopetoun Alpha, had high visitor numbers and strong interest from families who viewed the artworks while listening to the inspiring music on the iPods provided.

The exhibition continues online with the opportunity still to purchase a selection of the limited edition pieces.

Tony Moffatt, CEO of the Breast Cancer Research Trust comments, “This exhibition would not have happened without the artists and musicians who have given us nothing but positive feedback about how this was run and the goal of the Trust. We also had a large volunteer group who assisted us throughout the exhibition. We have been thrilled with the results.”

Paul Baragwanath, Curator, comments, “It was an absolutely unique concept that created an exhibition of exceptional work, igniting the imagination of artists and the viewing public alike. It has been a privilege being part of the project.”Never before has a group of artists of this calibre exhibited under one roof. This was a unique exhibition and it has been an absolute pleasure being involved in something so special.”

Nathan Haines commented, “It was an honour to be involved with Art for a Cure and to collaborate and talk with other artists – after all we are in this together.”

Moffatt continues, “Over the last three years, even while the activity of the Trust was growing considerably, we have held our costs to the extent that an average of 71% of every dollar raised is available for research. Over the next four years we anticipate our efficiencies will improve further and that figure is forecast to be 76% of every dollar raised being spent on crucial breast cancer research. It is fundraising initiatives such as Art for a Cure that will allow us to reach our goal by 2018.”

Visit www.breastcancercure.org.nz for details.

The artists and musicians involved were:

Dick Frizzell working with Lawrence Arabia
Simon Kaan working with Hannah Howes
Virginia King working with Neil Finn
Stanley Palmer working with Don McGlashan
Pamela Wolfe working with Whirimako Black
Fiona Pardington working with Whirimako Black
Neil Dawson working with Dave Dobbyn
Karl Maughan working with Don McGlashan
Peter Stichbury working with Bic Runga
Martin Poppelwell working with Nathan Haines
Andrew McLeod and Liz Maw working with John Clark/Fred Dagg
Peter Madden working with Eve de Castro-Robinson
Jeff Thomson working with the Topp Twins
Gavin Hurley working with Bic Runga

In addition to the artworks by the artists listed above, there were smaller limited edition works from:
Terry Stringer
Paul Dibble – one work at a fixed price
Jim Wheeler
Mary Louise Browne
Bronwynne Cornish
Andre Hemer